US Bridges

County Highway over Norwegian Bow Creek

Fair

Cedar County, Nebraska · 3S of Fordyce · Structure no. C001401540

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
79 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Norwegian Bow Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Norwegian Bow Creek in Cedar County, Nebraska. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 years old, older than the Nebraska average of 47.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 25 by 2033. The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18.6 mi (30 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesNorwegian Bow Creek
Location3S of Fordyce
RouteCounty Highway 15
CountyCedar County
StateNebraska
Coordinates42.6517, -97.3483
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating63.9 US tons
Inventory rating37.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+1 approach)
Design loadUnknown
Structure length79 ft (24.1 m)
Longest span58 ft (17.7 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2003)
Projected traffic25 by 2033
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed18.6 mi (30 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Norwegian Bow Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Norwegian Bow Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in July 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Norwegian Bow Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Highway over Norwegian Bow Creek?

The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long with a longest span of 58 ft (17.7 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Norwegian Bow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.