US Bridges

H Road over Prairie Dog Creek

FairPosted for load

Harlan County, Nebraska · 8.5S 1W of Orleans · Structure no. C004201705

Built
1913
112 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
81 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

H Road over Prairie Dog Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying H Road over Prairie Dog Creek in Harlan County, Nebraska. It was built in 1913, so it is 112 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 17 by 2033. The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18.6 mi (30 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesH Road
CrossesPrairie Dog Creek
Location8.5S 1W of Orleans
RouteCounty Highway 17
CountyHarlan County
StateNebraska
Coordinates40.0044, -99.4803
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating7.7 US tons
Inventory rating5.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length81 ft (24.7 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2003)
Projected traffic17 by 2033
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 statusListed on 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 H Road over Prairie Dog Creek built?

It was built in 1913, making it 112 years old in 2025.

What condition is H Road over Prairie Dog 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does H Road over Prairie Dog Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2003 count).

How long is H Road over Prairie Dog Creek?

The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns H Road over Prairie Dog Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.