FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

US281, K4 HWY

Carrying US281, K4 HWY over BLOOD CREEK DRAINAGE

3.71 MI NW EJCT K4, Barton, Kansas

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Good
22 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: US281, K4 HWY

The US281, K4 HWY bridge in Barton, Kansas carries US281, K4 HWY over BLOOD CREEK DRAINAGE. It was built in 1931, making it 95 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1964, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of concrete and spans 3 sections, stretching 7.8 meters (26 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 1,750 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Kansas bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show culvert at 7/9. The weakest component sits in good condition. No reported major component scores in the Poor range under the current federal condition thresholds. Its NBI inventory load rating is 21.8 metric tons.

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

How US281, K4 HWY compares

▼ 7.3
Load rating vs Kansas average (29.1 t)
Bottom 35%
Lower load rating than 65% of Kansas bridges
437
Bridges in Barton · 1 in Poor condition
US281, K4 HWY 21.8 t
Kansas average 29.1 t

Live comparison across Kansas.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
83.8 / 100 - historical 80–100 band
Structural adequacy /55
43.8
Serviceability /30
29.0
Essentiality /15
14.0
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
7/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
21.8 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Good

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1931
Last Reconstructed
1964
Material
Concrete
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
7.8 m (26 ft)
Deck Width
16.3 m (53 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
1,750 vehicles/day
Structure Number
999928100050261

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether US281, K4 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 US281, K4 HWY against other structures in Barton 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 US281, K4 HWY?

US281, K4 HWY in Barton, Kansas on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is US281, K4 HWY inspected?

US281, K4 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 1,750 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. US281, K4 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 US281, K4 HWY?

US281, K4 HWY has an NBI inventory load rating of 21.8 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining US281, K4 HWY?

US281, K4 HWY is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is US281, K4 HWY and does age affect safety?

US281, K4 HWY was built in 1931, making it 95 years old and last reconstructed in 1964.

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.