FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

US-56 HWY

Carrying US-56 HWY over ELM CREEK

1.55 MI E KTA, Lyon, Kansas

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
41 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: US-56 HWY

The US-56 HWY bridge in Lyon, Kansas carries US-56 HWY over ELM CREEK. It was built in 1991, making it 35 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel continuous and spans 3 sections, stretching 75.1 meters (246 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 580 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Kansas bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 7/9, substructure at 8/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. None of this bridge's reported major components fall into the Poor condition range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 40.5 metric tons.

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

How US-56 HWY compares

▲ 11.4
Load rating vs Kansas average (29.1 t)
Top 20%
Higher load rating than 80% of Kansas bridges
493
Bridges in Lyon · 5 in Poor condition
US-56 HWY 40.5 t
Kansas average 29.1 t

Live comparison across Kansas.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
98.1 / 100 - historical 80–100 band
Structural adequacy /55
55.0
Serviceability /30
29.0
Essentiality /15
14.1
Special reductions
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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

Deck
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
8/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
40.5 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1991
Material
Steel Continuous
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
75.1 m (246 ft)
Deck Width
11.6 m (38 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
580 vehicles/day
Structure Number
999905600561481

Condition Analysis

  • At 5/9, the deck (driving surface) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in good condition (8/9), showing no significant deterioration.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether US-56 HWY is safe to cross today. Here is how to use it.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Learn how the 0–9 condition scale and Good/Fair/Poor categories are defined. How condition ratings work
  • Compare US-56 HWY against other structures in Lyon and across Kansas. Kansas 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 US-56 HWY?

US-56 HWY in Lyon, Kansas has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 8/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is US-56 HWY inspected?

US-56 HWY'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 580 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. US-56 HWY is currently shown as Fair condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for US-56 HWY?

US-56 HWY has an NBI inventory load rating of 40.5 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining US-56 HWY?

US-56 HWY is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is US-56 HWY and does age affect safety?

US-56 HWY was built in 1991, making it 35 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.