US Bridges

170th Street over Dove Creek

Fair

Spink County, South Dakota · 6S 5.5W Athol · Structure no. 000000058005220

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
39 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
55
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

170th Street over Dove Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying 170th Street over Dove Creek in Spink County, South Dakota. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 55 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 55 by 2032. The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Carries170th Street
CrossesDove Creek
Location6S 5.5W Athol
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates44.92587, -98.7052
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
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.
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.9 US tons
Inventory rating32.3 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length39 ft (11.9 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic55 (2022)
Projected traffic55 by 2032
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 170th Street over Dove Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is 170th Street over Dove Creek 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does 170th Street over Dove Creek carry?

About 55 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is 170th Street over Dove Creek?

The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns 170th Street over Dove Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.