US Bridges

Forest Road over Wheeler Creek

Fair

Flathead County, Montana · West Side Reservoir · Structure no. 011006000000023

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
62 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
65
1990 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Wheeler Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Forest Road over Wheeler Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 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 65 vehicles a day, projected to reach 97 by 2045. The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Road
CrossesWheeler Creek
LocationWest Side Reservoir
RouteFederal Lands Road 895
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.09804, -113.72996
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating41.8 US tons
Inventory rating32.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length62 ft (18.9 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.2 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic65 (1990)
Projected traffic97 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 proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Road over Wheeler Creek built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Wheeler 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 Forest Road over Wheeler Creek carry?

About 65 vehicles per day (1990 count).

How long is Forest Road over Wheeler Creek?

The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Wheeler Creek?

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