US Bridges

49th Street over Big Sioux River

Poor

Minnehaha County, South Dakota · 0.1W of Kiawanis Ave - Sf · Structure no. 000000050186235

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
258 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
13,800
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

49th Street over Big Sioux River is a concrete continuous slab carrying 49th Street over Big Sioux River in Minnehaha County, South Dakota. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 years old, younger 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 13,800 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,174 by 2032. The structure is 258 ft (78.5 m) long and 66 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Carries49th Street
CrossesBig Sioux River
Location0.1W of Kiawanis Ave - Sf
RouteCity Street 0
Coordinates43.50801, -96.7597
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating34.4 US tons
Inventory rating26.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length258 ft (78.5 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width66 ft (20.2 m)
Roadway width52 ft (15.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,800 (2022)
Projected traffic18,174 by 2032
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$8.8 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 49th Street over Big Sioux River built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is 49th Street over Big Sioux River 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does 49th Street over Big Sioux River carry?

About 13,800 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is 49th Street over Big Sioux River?

The structure is 258 ft (78.5 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 66 ft wide.

Who owns 49th Street over Big Sioux River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.