US Bridges

I-40 Frontage Rd. over Bear Creek

FairPosted for load

Custer County, Oklahoma · 3.7 MI E JCT I-40 Bus · Structure no. 031920000000000

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
145 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-40 Frontage Rd. over Bear Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying I-40 Frontage Rd. over Bear Creek in Custer County, Oklahoma. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 years old, older than the Oklahoma average of 47.8 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 300 vehicles a day, roughly 36% of them trucks, projected to reach 480 by 2042. The structure is 145 ft (44.2 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

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CarriesI-40 Frontage Rd.
CrossesBear Creek
Location3.7 MI E JCT I-40 Bus
RouteU.S. Route 40
CountyCuster County
StateOklahoma
Coordinates35.51584, -98.84616
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
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 inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating32 US tons
Inventory rating19.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length145 ft (44.2 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2022)
Projected traffic480 by 2042
Trucks36%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.8 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was I-40 Frontage Rd. over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-40 Frontage Rd. over Bear 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 January 2023.

How much traffic does I-40 Frontage Rd. over Bear Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 36% are trucks.

How long is I-40 Frontage Rd. over Bear Creek?

The structure is 145 ft (44.2 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns I-40 Frontage Rd. over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.