US Bridges

County Road 439 over Buffalo Creek

Fair

Dawson County, Nebraska · 5E 2N Lexington · Structure no. C002406310

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
35 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 439 over Buffalo Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying County Road 439 over Buffalo Creek in Dawson County, Nebraska. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 years old, younger 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 5 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 170 by 2033. The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 31.1 mi (50 km).

CarriesCounty Road 439
CrossesBuffalo Creek
Location5E 2N Lexington
RouteCounty Highway 63
Coordinates40.8033, -99.635
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.5 US tons
Inventory rating29.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length35 ft (10.7 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2003)
Projected traffic170 by 2033
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed31.1 mi (50 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 439 over Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 439 over Buffalo 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 439 over Buffalo Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road 439 over Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 439 over Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.