US Bridges

Battlefield Road over Medicine Tail Coulee

Poor

Big Horn County, Montana · I-90 Exit 510 East on U · Structure no. 1380002P0000000

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
46 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
150
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Battlefield Road over Medicine Tail Coulee is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Battlefield Road over Medicine Tail Coulee in Big Horn County, Montana. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 years old, older than the Montana average of 47 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.

It carries about 150 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 180 by 2039. The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBattlefield Road
CrossesMedicine Tail Coulee
LocationI-90 Exit 510 East on U
RouteFederal Lands Road 2100
CountyBig Horn County
StateMontana
Coordinates45.54872, -107.41214
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating91.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length46 ft (14 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic150 (2019)
Projected traffic180 by 2039
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$278,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Battlefield Road over Medicine Tail Coulee built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is Battlefield Road over Medicine Tail Coulee 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Battlefield Road over Medicine Tail Coulee carry?

About 150 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Battlefield Road over Medicine Tail Coulee?

The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.3 m).

Who owns Battlefield Road over Medicine Tail Coulee?

It is owned by the National Park Service.