FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

BEAR BUTTE RD.

Carrying BEAR BUTTE RD. over COTTONWOOD CK

2 E & 10.8 N STURGIS, Meade, South Dakota

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
18 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: BEAR BUTTE RD.

The BEAR BUTTE RD. bridge in Meade, South Dakota carries BEAR BUTTE RD. over COTTONWOOD CK. It was built in 1935, making it 91 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete continuous and spans 2 sections, stretching 6.7 meters (22 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 33 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of South Dakota bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show culvert at 4/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 18.3 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How BEAR BUTTE RD. compares

▼ 14.2
Load rating vs South Dakota average (32.5 t)
Bottom 15%
Lower load rating than 85% of South Dakota bridges
217
Bridges in Meade · 23 in Poor condition
BEAR BUTTE RD. 18.3 t
South Dakota average 32.5 t

Live comparison across South Dakota.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
52.7 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
12.8
Serviceability /30
28.0
Essentiality /15
15.0
Special reductions
−3.0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Culvert
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
18.3 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1935
Material
Concrete Continuous
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
6.7 m (22 ft)
Deck Width
7.3 m (24 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
33 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000047050322

How to read this record

BEAR BUTTE RD. is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare BEAR BUTTE RD. against other structures in Meade and across South Dakota. South Dakota bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for BEAR BUTTE RD.?

BEAR BUTTE RD. in Meade, South Dakota on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is BEAR BUTTE RD. inspected?

BEAR BUTTE RD.'s responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 33 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. BEAR BUTTE RD. is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for BEAR BUTTE RD.?

BEAR BUTTE RD. has an NBI inventory load rating of 18.3 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining BEAR BUTTE RD.?

BEAR BUTTE RD. is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is BEAR BUTTE RD. and does age affect safety?

BEAR BUTTE RD. was built in 1935, making it 91 years old.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.