US Bridges

Trail Creek RD over Powder River 061

Fair

Custer County, Montana · 41M E Miles City · Structure no. L09302000+01001

Built
1926
99 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
455 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
100
2025 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Trail Creek RD over Powder River 061 is a steel truss - thru carrying Trail Creek RD over Powder River 061 in Custer County, Montana. It was built in 1926 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 99 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 100 by 2040. The structure is 455 ft (138.7 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 39.8 mi (64 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTrail Creek RD
CrossesPowder River 061
Location41M E Miles City
RouteCounty Highway 9302
CountyCuster County
StateMontana
Coordinates46.24515, -105.26489
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionJune 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
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating34.6 US tons
Inventory rating20.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length455 ft (138.7 m)
Longest span138 ft (42.1 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck15 ft (4.6 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2025)
Projected traffic100 by 2040
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed39.8 mi (64 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$735,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Trail Creek RD over Powder River 061 built?

It was built in 1926, making it 99 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is Trail Creek RD over Powder River 061 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Trail Creek RD over Powder River 061 carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2025 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Trail Creek RD over Powder River 061?

The structure is 455 ft (138.7 m) long with a longest span of 138 ft (42.1 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Trail Creek RD over Powder River 061?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.