US Bridges

Forest Road over Tiger Creek

Good

Flathead County, Montana · Road 38 · Structure no. 011006000000089

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Good
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
1992 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Tiger Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road over Tiger 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 200 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 300 by 2045. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest Road
CrossesTiger Creek
LocationRoad 38
RouteFederal Lands Road 38
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.35437, -113.86654
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 evaluation7: Better than 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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51 US tons
Inventory rating39.2 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 span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (1992)
Projected traffic300 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$324 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Road over Tiger Creek built?

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

What condition is Forest Road over Tiger Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Tiger Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (1992 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Forest Road over Tiger Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Tiger Creek?

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