US Bridges

470th Avenue over Snake Creek

Poor

Lincoln County, South Dakota · 5.8S & 4E of Lennox · Structure no. 000000042060168

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
32 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
50
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

470th Avenue over Snake Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying 470th Avenue over Snake Creek in Lincoln County, South Dakota. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 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 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 50 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 50 by 2032. The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Carries470th Avenue
CrossesSnake Creek
Location5.8S & 4E of Lennox
Coordinates43.26238, -96.80649
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
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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.9 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2022)
Projected traffic50 by 2032
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$1 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 470th Avenue over Snake Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is 470th Avenue over Snake 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does 470th Avenue over Snake Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is 470th Avenue over Snake Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns 470th Avenue over Snake Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.