US Bridges

Fs Route No. 537 over Big Creek

PoorPosted for load

Shoshone County, Idaho · Big Creek · Structure no. 010404000000117

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
98 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Fs Route No. 537 over Big Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Fs Route No. 537 over Big Creek in Shoshone County, Idaho. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 years old, older than the Idaho average of 45.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 98 ft (29.9 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 620.7 mi (999 km).

Location

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CarriesFs Route No. 537
CrossesBig Creek
LocationBig Creek
RouteFederal Lands Road 537
CountyShoshone County
StateIdaho
Coordinates47.32103, -116.11957
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating19.6 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length98 ft (29.9 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.5 m)
Deck width13 ft (4.1 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (—)
Projected traffic75 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed620.7 mi (999 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fs Route No. 537 over Big Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fs Route No. 537 over Big Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2024.

How much traffic does Fs Route No. 537 over Big Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is Fs Route No. 537 over Big Creek?

The structure is 98 ft (29.9 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.5 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Fs Route No. 537 over Big Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.