N23 over Wells Canyon

Good

Frontier County, Nebraska · 0W Curtis · Structure no. S023 09088

Built: 1948; 77 years old, rebuilt 2012
Condition: Good; inspected April 2024
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 93 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 1,535; 2018 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

N23 over Wells Canyon is a concrete continuous slab carrying N23 over Wells Canyon in Frontier County, Nebraska. It was built in 1948 and reconstructed in 2012, so it is 77 years old, older than the Nebraska average of 47.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,535 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,072 by 2038. The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 118.1 mi (190 km).

Location

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CarriesN23

CrossesWells Canyon

Location0W Curtis

RouteState Highway 23

CountyFrontier County

StateNebraska

Coordinates40.629, -100.5261

Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Superstructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Substructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Channel and channel protection	8 Very Good	No problems noted.

Last inspectionApril 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating38.6 US tons

Inventory rating23.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadH 15

Structure length93 ft (28.3 m)

Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)

Deck width43 ft (13.1 m)

Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,535 (2018)

Projected traffic2,072 by 2038

Trucks14%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed118.1 mi (190 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency

Maintained byState 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 N23 over Wells Canyon built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2012.

What condition is N23 over Wells Canyon in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does N23 over Wells Canyon carry?

About 1,535 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is N23 over Wells Canyon?

The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns N23 over Wells Canyon?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.