US Bridges

Forest Road over Trail Creek

Fair

Flathead County, Montana · Spotted Bear River Road · Structure no. 011004000000033

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
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 1962, so it is 63 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 45 by 2045. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest Road
CrossesTrail Creek
LocationSpotted Bear River Road
RouteFederal Lands Road 568
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates47.93968, -113.42009
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating46.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.7 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (1992)
Projected traffic45 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 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Trail 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Trail Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (1992 count).

How long is Forest Road over Trail Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Trail Creek?

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