US Bridges

Forest Road over Trail Creek

Good

Flathead County, Montana · Trail Creek · Structure no. 011001000000126

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Good
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
1992 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Trail Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road over Trail Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 years old, younger than the Montana average of 47 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2045. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

CarriesForest Road
CrossesTrail Creek
LocationTrail Creek
RouteFederal Lands Road 5385
StateMontana
Coordinates48.22967, -114.06723
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36.8 US tons
Inventory rating28.5 US tons

Structure

MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (1992)
Projected traffic15 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Road over Trail Creek built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Trail Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Trail Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (1992 count).

How long is Forest Road over Trail Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Trail Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.