US Bridges

Forest Road over Skyland Creek

Fair

Flathead County, Montana · Skyland Creek Area · Structure no. 011006000000035

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
1992 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Skyland Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road over Skyland Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2045. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Road
CrossesSkyland Creek
LocationSkyland Creek Area
RouteFederal Lands Road 569
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.28268, -113.36086
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 inspectionJune 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating34 US tons
Inventory rating26.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (1992)
Projected traffic30 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 Skyland Creek built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Skyland 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 Skyland Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (1992 count).

How long is Forest Road over Skyland Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Skyland Creek?

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