FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

K256 HWY

Carrying K256 HWY over COTTONWOOD RIVER

0.672 MI S JCT US56, Marion, Kansas

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Good
43 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: K256 HWY

The K256 HWY bridge in Marion, Kansas carries K256 HWY over COTTONWOOD RIVER. It was built in 1977, making it 49 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 2000, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel continuous and spans 3 sections, stretching 59.5 meters (195 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 460 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 7/9, superstructure at 8/9, substructure at 8/9. The weakest component sits in good condition. All reported major components score above the Poor range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 42.7 metric tons.

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

How K256 HWY compares

▲ 13.6
Load rating vs Kansas average (29.1 t)
Top 16%
Higher load rating than 84% of Kansas bridges
289
Bridges in Marion · 31 in Poor condition
K256 HWY 42.7 t
Kansas average 29.1 t

Live comparison across Kansas.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
97.1 / 100 - historical 80–100 band
Structural adequacy /55
55.0
Serviceability /30
27.2
Essentiality /15
14.9
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
7/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
8/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
8/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
42.7 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Good

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1977
Last Reconstructed
2000
Material
Steel Continuous
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
59.5 m (195 ft)
Deck Width
9.1 m (30 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
460 vehicles/day
Structure Number
999925600570481

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • At 8/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • 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 K256 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 K256 HWY against other structures in Marion 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 K256 HWY?

K256 HWY in Marion, Kansas has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 8/9, and substructure rating of 8/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is K256 HWY inspected?

K256 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 460 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. K256 HWY is currently shown as Good condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for K256 HWY?

K256 HWY has an NBI inventory load rating of 42.7 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining K256 HWY?

K256 HWY is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is K256 HWY and does age affect safety?

K256 HWY was built in 1977, making it 49 years old and last reconstructed in 2000.

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.