US Bridges

County Highway over Clear Creek

Fair

Polk County, Nebraska · 9N 3W of Shelby · Structure no. C007203710

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Clear Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Clear Creek in Polk County, Nebraska. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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.

It carries about 100 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 170 by 2041. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 31.1 mi (50 km).

CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesClear Creek
Location9N 3W of Shelby
RouteCounty Highway 37
Coordinates41.3333, -97.4833
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating80.5 US tons
Inventory rating48.5 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2003)
Projected traffic170 by 2041
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 Highway over Clear Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Clear 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Clear Creek carry?

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

How long is County Highway over Clear Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Clear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.