US Bridges

County Highway over Bell Creek

Good

Washington County, Nebraska · 3N 3.3E Fontanelle · Structure no. C008901610

Built
2000
25 years old
Condition
Good
inspected August 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
40
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Bell Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Bell Creek in Washington County, Nebraska. It was built in 2000, so it is 25 years old, younger than the Nebraska average of 47.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, projected to reach 68 by 2033. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBell Creek
Location3N 3.3E Fontanelle
RouteCounty Highway 16
CountyWashington County
StateNebraska
Coordinates41.5817, -96.3617
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2022
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating89.3 US tons
Inventory rating52.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 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 closed49.7 mi (80 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 Bell Creek built?

It was built in 2000, making it 25 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Bell Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2022.

How much traffic does County Highway over Bell Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2003 count).

How long is County Highway over Bell Creek?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Bell Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.