US Bridges

Forest Road over Hand Creek

Fair

Flathead County, Montana · Sylvia Lake Road · Structure no. 011008000013111

Built
2010
15 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
58 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Hand Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road over Hand Creek in Flathead County, Montana. It was built in 2010, so it is 15 years old, younger 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 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 58 ft (17.7 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
CrossesHand Creek
LocationSylvia Lake Road
RouteFederal Lands Road 538B
CountyFlathead County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.30864, -114.77783
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating23.9 US tons
Inventory rating18.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length58 ft (17.7 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 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 Hand Creek built?

It was built in 2010, making it 15 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Hand 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Hand Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is Forest Road over Hand Creek?

The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Hand Creek?

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