US Bridges

165th Street over South Fork Snake Creek

PoorPosted for load

Spink County, South Dakota · 1S 3.1W Athol · Structure no. 000000058029170

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
41 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
55
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

165th Street over South Fork Snake Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying 165th Street over South Fork Snake Creek in Spink County, South Dakota. It was built in 1925, so it is 100 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 55 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 55 by 2032. The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Carries165th Street
CrossesSouth Fork Snake Creek
Location1S 3.1W Athol
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates44.9989, -98.65703
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating18 US tons
Inventory rating13.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length41 ft (12.5 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 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 statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.7 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 165th Street over South Fork Snake Creek built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025.

What condition is 165th Street over South Fork 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does 165th Street over South Fork Snake Creek carry?

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

How long is 165th Street over South Fork Snake Creek?

The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns 165th Street over South Fork Snake Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.