US Bridges

County Road 532 over Cottonwood Creek 018

Fair

Dawson County, Montana · 10M E Circle · Structure no. L11532007+08001

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 1973
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
34 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
100
2025 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 532 over Cottonwood Creek 018 is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 532 over Cottonwood Creek 018 in Dawson County, Montana. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1973, 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 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 34 ft (10.4 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 28 mi (45 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 532
CrossesCottonwood Creek 018
Location10M E Circle
RouteCounty Highway 11532
CountyDawson County
StateMontana
Coordinates47.4348, -105.39865
Functional classRural Local

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 inspectionNovember 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating26 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.2 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2025)
Projected traffic100 by 2040
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed28 mi (45 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$138,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 532 over Cottonwood Creek 018 built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1973.

What condition is County Road 532 over Cottonwood Creek 018 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 532 over Cottonwood Creek 018 carry?

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

How long is County Road 532 over Cottonwood Creek 018?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 532 over Cottonwood Creek 018?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.