US Bridges

Forest Road over Tin Creek

Fair

Flathead County, Montana · West Side Southfork · Structure no. 011004000000018

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
80
1992 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Tin Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road over Tin Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 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 80 vehicles a day, projected to reach 120 by 2045. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest Road
CrossesTin Creek
LocationWest Side Southfork
RouteFederal Lands Road 895
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates47.97436, -113.56718
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51.8 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic80 (1992)
Projected traffic120 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 Tin Creek built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Tin 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 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Tin Creek carry?

About 80 vehicles per day (1992 count).

How long is Forest Road over Tin Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Tin Creek?

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