US Bridges

Road 261 over Sand Creek 038

Fair

Dawson County, Montana · 8M SW Glendive · Structure no. L11109004+09001

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
38 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
525
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road 261 over Sand Creek 038 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Road 261 over Sand Creek 038 in Dawson County, Montana. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 years old, younger 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 6 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 525 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 559 by 2043. The structure is 38 ft (11.7 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.2 mi (47 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad 261
CrossesSand Creek 038
Location8M SW Glendive
RouteCounty Highway 11109
CountyDawson County
StateMontana
Coordinates47.03432, -104.79436
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating41.8 US tons
Inventory rating32.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length38 ft (11.7 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic525 (2023)
Projected traffic559 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.2 mi (47 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road 261 over Sand Creek 038 built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is Road 261 over Sand Creek 038 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Road 261 over Sand Creek 038 carry?

About 525 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Road 261 over Sand Creek 038?

The structure is 38 ft (11.7 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Road 261 over Sand Creek 038?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.