US Bridges

Forest Road over Emery Creek

Fair

Flathead County, Montana · South Fork Flathead RD · Structure no. 011006000000088

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
250
1990 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Emery Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road over Emery Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 250 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 375 by 2045. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Road
CrossesEmery Creek
LocationSouth Fork Flathead RD
RouteFederal Lands Road 38
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.35568, -113.92835
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 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum 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 length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (1990)
Projected traffic375 by 2045
Trucks4%
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 Emery Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Emery 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Emery Creek carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (1990 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Forest Road over Emery Creek?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Emery Creek?

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