US Bridges

County Road 15 over Fort Laramie Canal

Fair

Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska · .5E 10.5S of Mitchell · Structure no. C007902905

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 15 over Fort Laramie Canal is a concrete channel beam carrying County Road 15 over Fort Laramie Canal in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 2033. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18.6 mi (30 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 15
CrossesFort Laramie Canal
Location.5E 10.5S of Mitchell
RouteCounty Highway 29
CountyScotts Bluff County
StateNebraska
Coordinates41.7933, -103.7917
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating36.4 US tons
Inventory rating24.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2003)
Projected traffic170 by 2033
Trucks10%
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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 15 over Fort Laramie Canal built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 15 over Fort Laramie Canal 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 Road 15 over Fort Laramie Canal carry?

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

How long is County Road 15 over Fort Laramie Canal?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 15 over Fort Laramie Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.