US Bridges

N4534 over Buzzard Creek

Poor

Le Flore County, Oklahoma · 5.0 E; 1.7 N Talihina · Structure no. 257330000000000

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
26 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
24
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

N4534 over Buzzard Creek is a concrete slab carrying N4534 over Buzzard Creek in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It was built in 1998, so it is 27 years old, younger than the Oklahoma average of 47.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 24 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 38 by 2042. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesN4534
CrossesBuzzard Creek
Location5.0 E; 1.7 N Talihina
RouteCounty Highway N4534
CountyLe Flore County
StateOklahoma
Coordinates34.77189, -94.95938
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic24 (2022)
Projected traffic38 by 2042
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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$225,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was N4534 over Buzzard Creek built?

It was built in 1998, making it 27 years old in 2025.

What condition is N4534 over Buzzard Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in January 2023.

How much traffic does N4534 over Buzzard Creek carry?

About 24 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is N4534 over Buzzard Creek?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns N4534 over Buzzard Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.