US Bridges

N4520 over Buzzard Creek

Fair

Le Flore County, Oklahoma · 3.3 E; 0.7 S Talihina · Structure no. 064180000000000

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Concrete
Length
57 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

N4520 over Buzzard Creek is a concrete girder and floorbeam system carrying N4520 over Buzzard Creek in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 6 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 320 by 2042. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesN4520
CrossesBuzzard Creek
Location3.3 E; 0.7 S Talihina
RouteCounty Highway N4520
CountyLe Flore County
StateOklahoma
Coordinates34.74259, -94.99014
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2022)
Projected traffic320 by 2042
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$376,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was N4520 over Buzzard Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is N4520 over Buzzard 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 N4520 over Buzzard Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is N4520 over Buzzard Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns N4520 over Buzzard Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.