FHWA NBI 2026 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

TOWANDA AVENUE

Carrying TOWANDA AVENUE over CONSTANT CREEK

BTN. HAVERHILL & FRED. DR, Butler, 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.

Fair
25 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: TOWANDA AVENUE

The TOWANDA AVENUE bridge in Butler, Kansas carries TOWANDA AVENUE over CONSTANT CREEK. It was built in 1950, making it 76 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete and spans 4 sections, stretching 13.0 meters (43 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,610 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Kansas bridges. It is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency, the entity responsible for routine inspections and any needed repairs.

The latest FHWA inspection records show culvert at 6/9 on the 0–9 NBI scale, where 9 is excellent and 0 is failed. The weakest component sits in fair 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 25.4 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, TOWANDA AVENUE 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 76-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 TOWANDA AVENUE compares

▼ 3.7
Load rating vs Kansas average (29.1 t)
Bottom 46%
Lower load rating than 54% of Kansas bridges
594
Bridges in Butler · 35 structurally deficient
TOWANDA AVENUE 25.4 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

Culvert
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
25.4 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
1950
Material
Concrete
Number of Spans
4
Structure Length
13.0 m (43 ft)
Deck Width
14.1 m (46 ft)
Owner
City/Municipal Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
2,610 vehicles/day
Structure Number
407800080904020

Location

BTN. HAVERHILL & FRED. DR, Butler, Kansas
37.810083, -96.873864
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 ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for TOWANDA AVENUE?

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. TOWANDA AVENUE in Butler, Kansas.

How often is TOWANDA AVENUE 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). TOWANDA AVENUE is part of the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the FHWA. With 2,610 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. TOWANDA AVENUE is not classified as structurally deficient.

What is the inventory load rating for TOWANDA AVENUE?

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. TOWANDA AVENUE has an inventory load rating of 25.4 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 TOWANDA AVENUE?

Bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility varies — bridges may be owned by state DOTs, counties, cities, railroads, or federal agencies. TOWANDA AVENUE is maintained by City/Municipal 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 TOWANDA AVENUE and does age affect safety?

TOWANDA AVENUE was built in 1950, making it 76 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