US Bridges

Higgins Gulch over Higgins Gulch

Fair

Lawrence County, South Dakota · T 6 N R 2 E Sec 7 · Structure no. 020308000010024

Built
1963
62 years old, rebuilt 1982
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
1992 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Higgins Gulch over Higgins Gulch is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Higgins Gulch over Higgins Gulch in Lawrence County, South Dakota. It was built in 1963 and reconstructed in 1982, so it is 62 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 5 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 25 vehicles a day, projected to reach 37 by 2045. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

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CarriesHiggins Gulch
CrossesHiggins Gulch
LocationT 6 N R 2 E Sec 7
RouteFederal Lands Road 214
CountyLawrence County
StateSouth Dakota
Coordinates44.49753, -103.92451
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating40.7 US tons
Inventory rating31.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.7 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (1992)
Projected traffic37 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Higgins Gulch over Higgins Gulch built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1982.

What condition is Higgins Gulch over Higgins Gulch 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Higgins Gulch over Higgins Gulch carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (1992 count).

How long is Higgins Gulch over Higgins Gulch?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Higgins Gulch over Higgins Gulch?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.