US Bridges

Forest Road over Coal Creek

Good

Flathead County, Montana · North Fork Flathead · Structure no. 011007000003017

Built
2000
25 years old
Condition
Good
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
76 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
2000 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Coal Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Forest Road over Coal Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 2000, so it is 25 years old, younger 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 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 7 by 2045. The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 620.7 mi (999 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest Road
CrossesCoal Creek
LocationNorth Fork Flathead
RouteFederal Lands Road 1693
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.67419, -114.31749
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37.5 US tons
Inventory rating29.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length76 ft (23.2 m)
Longest span76 ft (23.2 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2000)
Projected traffic7 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed620.7 mi (999 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 Coal Creek built?

It was built in 2000, making it 25 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Coal 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Coal Creek carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2000 count).

How long is Forest Road over Coal Creek?

The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long with a longest span of 76 ft (23.2 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Coal Creek?

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