US Highway 281 over Round Lake
Benson County, North Dakota · rated Good in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- US Highway 281 over Round Lake in Benson County, North Dakota, is rated in good condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the deck, rated 7 (good condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 2005, making it 20 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 675 vehicles a day (traffic count year 2019).
- Its listed owner is the state highway agency.
- It is one of 20 of the 40 inventoried bridges in Benson County rated good (50.0%); 7 (17.5%) are rated poor.
- Its traffic status in the 2025 inventory is open, no restriction (NBI item 41).
- Its condition class and component ratings are unchanged from the 2024 inventory.
- Its most recent inspection on record is dated October 2023, on a 24-month routine inspection cycle.
- A good rating means every major component - deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert - is rated 7 or higher on FHWA's 0-9 scale: no more than minor problems.
View this bridge on a map → (48.01937, -99.23625)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
| Superstructure | 8 | 8 | Very good condition |
| Substructure | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Continuous prestressed concrete stringer or multi-beam girder |
| Length | about 186 ft |
| Location | 4 South of Minnewaukan |
| NBI structure number | 0281156665 |
| Condition class | Good |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | October 2023 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 8: foundations stable, scour above the top of the footing |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the North Dakota department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Benson County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irrft Nd Hiway 57 over Devils Lake Narrows | 1999 | 4,000 | Fair |
| US Highway 2 over Creek | 1984 | 1,900 | Good |
| US Highway 281 over Creek | 2005 | 1,300 | Good |
| US Highway 281 over Creek | 2005 | 1,300 | Good |
| US Highway 281 over Creek | 2006 | 1,300 | Good |
| Nd Highway 19 over Mauvais Coulee | 2001 | 1,260 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: Benson County, ND bridge conditions · every bridge in Benson County · North Dakota bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.