COUNTY HIGHWAY
over RED RIVER OF THE NORTH
4 SOUTH 6 EAST OF GARDNER, Cass County, North Dakota
Condition
PoorYear Built
1949
Daily Traffic
90
Length
55 ft
About This Bridge
COUNTY HIGHWAY carries traffic over RED RIVER OF THE NORTH in Cass County, North Dakota. Built in 1949, this structure is 77 years old, making it a historic structure that has served the community for generations. The bridge features steel construction with a truss - thru design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.
Approximately 90 vehicles cross this bridge daily, indicating lower traffic volumes common for local roads and rural routes. While traffic is lighter, these bridges still serve essential community transportation needs. Commercial trucks account for 14% of all crossings. This proportion of commercial traffic is typical for this roadway classification and is factored into the bridge's design load ratings.
The bridge is currently rated in poor condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. It is classified as structurally deficient, meaning one or more components have received a rating of 4 or below on the 0-9 scale. This designation indicates significant deterioration that warrants attention, though the bridge remains safe for travel within its posted limits. Structurally deficient does not mean unsafe—rather, it signals that repairs or replacement should be prioritized in transportation planning. With a total length of 55 feet, this is a shorter span typical of local road crossings, often carrying traffic over small streams, drainage channels, or other roadways.
Steel bridges provide high strength-to-weight ratios, making them suitable for longer spans. However, they require ongoing protection against corrosion through painting or weathering steel designs. Inspectors pay close attention to connection points, fatigue cracking, and coating condition.
Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.
Condition Ratings
Structurally Deficient
This bridge has one or more component ratings of 4 or below, indicating significant deterioration that requires attention. The bridge remains safe for travel but may have load restrictions.
Deck Condition
Satisfactory
Superstructure
Fair
Substructure
Poor
Channel & Protection
Fair
Lowest Rating
Determines condition category
NBI condition ratings range from 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). Ratings of 4 or below are considered poor. The overall condition category is determined by the lowest individual component rating.
The substructure rating of 4 reflects significant wear in piers, abutments, or foundations.
For a structure built in 1949, the current condition reflects the cumulative effects of age, traffic, and environmental exposure. If this bridge were closed, traffic would face a detour of approximately 12 miles, underscoring the importance of maintaining this crossing.
Bridge Details
Steel is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The truss - thru design was selected based on span requirements, load capacity needs, and site conditions at the time of construction. Maintenance responsibility falls to County Highway Agency.
Construction
Dimensions
Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 1,332 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.
Classification
Status
Traffic Data
Traffic volume data helps engineers assess bridge wear patterns and plan maintenance schedules. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts are updated periodically and represent typical weekday usage.
90
Avg Daily Traffic (2019)
Vehicles per day crossing this bridge
14%
Truck Traffic
Commercial vehicle percentage
90
Projected Future ADT
Estimated future demand
This bridge carries approximately 90 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 32,850 crossings annually. Lower traffic volumes generally result in less structural wear over time.
Commercial trucks comprise 14% of traffic. Heavy vehicles cause disproportionate wear—a single fully loaded truck can have the impact of thousands of passenger cars on bridge deck surfaces.
Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 90 vehicles daily, a decrease from current levels. These projections inform capacity planning and potential upgrade requirements.
Load Ratings
Load ratings determine what weight this bridge can safely support. These values are critical for routing heavy vehicles and issuing overweight permits.
Operating Rating
2.2 tons
Maximum allowable load for special permits
Inventory Rating
1.7 tons
Load level for normal traffic
The operating rating of 2.2 tons represents the absolute maximum load this bridge can carry under controlled conditions with special permits. The inventory rating of 1.7 tons is the safe load limit for everyday traffic without restrictions. These relatively low ratings may result in posted weight limits or route restrictions for heavy vehicles.
5-Year Condition Trend
↓DecliningCondition has declined by 1.0 rating points since 2020
Status Changes
- Entered poor condition in 2022
- Became structurally deficient in 2022
Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory
Location
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48.020000, -96.870000
Identification
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Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024
Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.
This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.