US Bridges

SD079 over Cottonwood Ck

Fair

Butte County, South Dakota · 0.5 N Meade CO Line · Structure no. 000000010310416

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
117 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,935
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SD079 over Cottonwood Ck is a concrete continuous slab carrying SD079 over Cottonwood Ck in Butte County, South Dakota. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 years old, older than the South Dakota average of 48.9 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 1,935 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,084 by 2044. The structure is 117 ft (35.7 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 32.9 mi (53 km).

CarriesSD079
CrossesCottonwood Ck
Location0.5 N Meade CO Line
RouteState Highway 79
Coordinates44.61109, -103.42744
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating55.8 US tons
Inventory rating33.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length117 ft (35.7 m)
Longest span23 ft (7.1 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,935 (2024)
Projected traffic3,084 by 2044
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed32.9 mi (53 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SD079 over Cottonwood Ck built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is SD079 over Cottonwood Ck 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does SD079 over Cottonwood Ck carry?

About 1,935 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is SD079 over Cottonwood Ck?

The structure is 117 ft (35.7 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7.1 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns SD079 over Cottonwood Ck?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.