FHWA NBI 2026 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

SUNFLOWER RS 1108

Carrying SUNFLOWER RS 1108 over LITTLE BLUE RIVER

2.5N 3.0W OF WATERVILLE, Marshall, Kansas

FHWA NBI inspection record for this structure. Condition ratings, inventory load rating, span, deck width, and average daily traffic refresh annually with each NBI release.

Good
42 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: SUNFLOWER RS 1108

The SUNFLOWER RS 1108 bridge in Marshall, Kansas carries SUNFLOWER RS 1108 over LITTLE BLUE RIVER. It was built in 1988, making it 38 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel continuous and spans 4 sections, stretching 107.6 meters (353 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 41 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Kansas bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency, the entity responsible for routine inspections and any needed repairs.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure at 8/9, substructure at 7/9 on the 0–9 NBI scale, where 9 is excellent and 0 is failed. The weakest component sits in good condition, which drives the overall status of this bridge. No major component scores in the poor range, so the bridge is not classified as structurally deficient under federal criteria. Its NBI inventory load rating is 41.9 metric tons — the load level the structure is rated to carry at inventory (long-term) level.

In a county that maintains hundreds of NBI-tracked bridges, SUNFLOWER RS 1108 is one data point in a Kansas inventory that FHWA inspects on a two-year cycle (more often when ratings fall). Bridge age alone is not a reliable safety signal — a 38-era structure can outperform a newer one when maintenance is consistent, materials are sound, and traffic loads stay within design limits. Use the condition ratings above, the sufficiency score, and the structurally-deficient flag together to read the bridge's real status, and check the linked county and state pages to see how this bridge ranks against its peers.

Every figure on this page comes directly from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory (NBI), the public dataset that catalogs more than 617,000 highway bridges across the United States and is updated annually from the records that each state Department of Transportation submits to the FHWA. The condition codes use the standardized FHWA Recording and Coding Guide, the same scale that determines federal eligibility for the Highway Bridge Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant set-aside for off-system bridges. A "structurally deficient" classification under those federal criteria is a maintenance and funding flag, never a closure order; states keep deficient bridges open with load posting, weight limits, or accelerated inspection cycles until rehabilitation or replacement is funded. See our methodology for refresh cadence and the exact NBI release vintage powering each record.

How SUNFLOWER RS 1108 compares

▲ 12.8
Load rating vs Kansas average (29.1 t)
Top 17%
Higher load rating than 83% of Kansas bridges
402
Bridges in Marshall · 43 structurally deficient
SUNFLOWER RS 1108 41.9 t
Kansas average 29.1 t

NBI inventory load rating (metric tons) and structural-deficiency status compared across Kansas, computed live from the FHWA NBI.

Condition Ratings

Deck
7/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
8/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
41.9 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
SD Status
Not SD

Ratings are on a 0–9 scale: 9 = Excellent, 7–8 = Good, 5–6 = Fair, 3–4 = Poor, 0–2 = Critical/Failed. Sufficiency rating (0–100) combines structural adequacy, functional obsolescence, and essentiality.

Structural Details

Year Built
1988
Material
Steel Continuous
Number of Spans
4
Structure Length
107.6 m (353 ft)
Deck Width
8.5 m (28 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
41 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000000580440

Location

2.5N 3.0W OF WATERVILLE, Marshall, Kansas
39.725850, -96.804911
View on Google Maps ↗

Data Source

Data from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Bridge inspections are required every two years by federal law. Conditions reflect the most recent inspection.

FHWA NBI Program ↗

Condition Analysis

Built in 1988, this bridge is 38 years old. It carries approximately 41 vehicles per day. Based on the most recent FHWA inspection:

  • The deck (driving surface) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good condition (8/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.

Its NBI inventory load rating reflects the load level it is rated to carry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for SUNFLOWER RS 1108?

Bridge condition ratings use a 0–9 scale set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Ratings 7–9 indicate good condition with no significant problems. Ratings 5–6 mean fair condition with minor issues. Ratings 3–4 indicate poor condition requiring repair. Ratings 0–2 are critical, meaning the bridge has serious structural problems. SUNFLOWER RS 1108 in Marshall, Kansas has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 8/9, and substructure rating of 7/9.

How often is SUNFLOWER RS 1108 inspected?

Federal law requires most highway bridges to be inspected at least every 24 months. Bridges in poor condition or with known issues may be inspected more frequently (every 12 months or less). SUNFLOWER RS 1108 is part of the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the FHWA. With 41 vehicles crossing daily, regular inspection is essential.

What does "structurally deficient" mean for a bridge?

A structurally deficient bridge has at least one major component (deck, superstructure, or substructure) rated 4 or below on the FHWA 0–9 scale. This classification does NOT mean the bridge is unsafe for travel — it means the bridge needs repair, rehabilitation, or eventual replacement. Structurally deficient bridges remain open and are monitored. SUNFLOWER RS 1108 is not classified as structurally deficient.

What is the inventory load rating for SUNFLOWER RS 1108?

The NBI inventory rating is the load level a bridge is rated to carry for an indefinite period, recorded in metric tons. A lower number means the structure is more load-restricted. SUNFLOWER RS 1108 has an inventory load rating of 41.9 metric tons. It is distinct from the FHWA sufficiency rating, a separate 0–100 funding-eligibility score that this dataset does not include.

Who is responsible for maintaining SUNFLOWER RS 1108?

Bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility varies — bridges may be owned by state DOTs, counties, cities, railroads, or federal agencies. SUNFLOWER RS 1108 is maintained by County Highway Agency. The FHWA oversees the National Bridge Inventory program and sets inspection standards, but day-to-day maintenance falls to the owning agency. If you notice damage or safety concerns, contact your state DOT or call 911 for emergencies.

How old is SUNFLOWER RS 1108 and does age affect safety?

SUNFLOWER RS 1108 was built in 1988, making it 38 years old. Bridge age alone does not determine safety — condition depends on materials, design, traffic load, maintenance history, and environmental exposure. Many older bridges remain in good condition due to regular maintenance and reconstruction.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A structurally deficient rating does not mean a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel — it indicates the bridge requires repair or replacement. For current closure or safety information, contact your state DOT.

Related

Data sourced from official U.S. government datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges Editorial