US Bridges

Forest Road over Tunnel Creek

Fair

Flathead County, Montana · Paola Creek Area · Structure no. 011006000001119

Built
1924
101 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
1992 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Tunnel Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Forest Road over Tunnel Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 1924, so it is 101 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 5 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 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 7 by 2045. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 25 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest Road
CrossesTunnel Creek
LocationPaola Creek Area
RouteFederal Lands Road 11124
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.36476, -113.67982
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation*: *
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 rating—
Inventory rating—

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (1992)
Projected traffic7 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
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 Tunnel Creek built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Tunnel 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Tunnel Creek carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (1992 count).

How long is Forest Road over Tunnel Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Tunnel Creek?

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