US Bridges

Turner RD over Buckley Coulee

Fair

Blaine County, Montana · 1M N Harlem · Structure no. S00241002+00311

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
58 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
399
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Turner RD over Buckley Coulee is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Turner RD over Buckley Coulee in Blaine County, Montana. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 years old, older than the Montana average of 47 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 399 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 419 by 2043. The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTurner RD
CrossesBuckley Coulee
Location1M N Harlem
RouteState Highway 241
CountyBlaine County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.54601, -108.77798
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating58 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length58 ft (17.7 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic399 (2023)
Projected traffic419 by 2043
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Turner RD over Buckley Coulee built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Turner RD over Buckley Coulee in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does Turner RD over Buckley Coulee carry?

About 399 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Turner RD over Buckley Coulee?

The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Turner RD over Buckley Coulee?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.