US Bridges

County Highway over Prairie Creek

PoorClosed to traffic

Merrick County, Nebraska · 5.7N 5.4W Central City · Structure no. C006102805

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
92 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Prairie Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying County Highway over Prairie Creek in Merrick County, Nebraska. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 years old, older than the Nebraska average of 47.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, projected to reach 68 by 2033. The structure is 92 ft (28 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18.6 mi (30 km).

CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesPrairie Creek
Location5.7N 5.4W Central City
RouteCounty Highway 28
Coordinates41.2059, -98.1121
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length92 ft (28 m)
Longest span90 ft (27.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2003)
Projected traffic68 by 2033
Trucks0%
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 Prairie Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Prairie Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Prairie Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2003 count).

How long is County Highway over Prairie Creek?

The structure is 92 ft (28 m) long with a longest span of 90 ft (27.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Prairie Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.