US Bridges

S 48 over Warm Springs Creek

Fair

Deer Lodge County, Montana · Warm Springs · Structure no. P00047006+07311

Built
1931
94 years old, rebuilt 1949
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,692
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

S 48 over Warm Springs Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying S 48 over Warm Springs Creek in Deer Lodge County, Montana. It was built in 1931 and reconstructed in 1949, so it is 94 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 1,692 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,777 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesS 48
CrossesWarm Springs Creek
LocationWarm Springs
RouteState Highway 48
CountyDeer Lodge County
StateMontana
Coordinates46.18053, -112.78516
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37.5 US tons
Inventory rating28.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width39 ft (11.9 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,692 (2023)
Projected traffic1,777 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 S 48 over Warm Springs Creek built?

It was built in 1931, making it 94 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1949.

What condition is S 48 over Warm Springs Creek 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does S 48 over Warm Springs Creek carry?

About 1,692 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is S 48 over Warm Springs Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns S 48 over Warm Springs Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.