US Bridges

Forest Road over Griffin Creek

Good

Flathead County, Montana · Griffin Creek Road · Structure no. 011008000003024

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Good
inspected July 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
76 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Griffin Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Forest Road over Griffin Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 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 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 76 ft (23.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 620.7 mi (999 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Road
CrossesGriffin Creek
LocationGriffin Creek Road
RouteFederal Lands Road 538
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.38159, -114.74626
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than 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 rating45.3 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length76 ft (23.3 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (—)
Projected traffic75 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 Griffin Creek built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Griffin 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 Griffin Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is Forest Road over Griffin Creek?

The structure is 76 ft (23.3 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Griffin Creek?

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