US Bridges

County Road 31 over Bates Branch

Fair

Saunders County, Nebraska · .3N 3W of Valparaiso · Structure no. C007800315

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
89 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
1998 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 31 over Bates Branch is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County Road 31 over Bates Branch in Saunders County, Nebraska. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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, projected to reach 170 by 2033. The structure is 89 ft (27.1 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18.6 mi (30 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 31
CrossesBates Branch
Location.3N 3W of Valparaiso
RouteCounty Highway 7835
CountySaunders County
StateNebraska
Coordinates41.0924, -96.8894
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionJuly 2024
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating37.5 US tons
Inventory rating23.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length89 ft (27.1 m)
Longest span88 ft (26.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (1998)
Projected traffic170 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 Road 31 over Bates Branch built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 31 over Bates Branch 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 31 over Bates Branch carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (1998 count).

How long is County Road 31 over Bates Branch?

The structure is 89 ft (27.1 m) long with a longest span of 88 ft (26.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 31 over Bates Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.