US Bridges

N17 over Driftwood Creek

Fair

Hitchcock County, Nebraska · 11S Culbertson · Structure no. S017 00782

Built
1981
44 years old, rebuilt 2022
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
100 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

N17 over Driftwood Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying N17 over Driftwood Creek in Hitchcock County, Nebraska. It was built in 1981 and reconstructed in 2022, so it is 44 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 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 280 by 2038. The structure is 100 ft (30.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 31.1 mi (50 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesN17
CrossesDriftwood Creek
Location11S Culbertson
RouteState Highway 17
CountyHitchcock County
StateNebraska
Coordinates40.0934, -100.8141
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating70.5 US tons
Inventory rating41.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length100 ft (30.5 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2018)
Projected traffic280 by 2038
Trucks8%
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

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 N17 over Driftwood Creek built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2022.

What condition is N17 over Driftwood 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does N17 over Driftwood Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is N17 over Driftwood Creek?

The structure is 100 ft (30.5 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns N17 over Driftwood Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.