US Bridges

Rat Lake Road over Stormcastle Creek

Fair

Gallatin County, Montana · Just Past Storm Castle Cg · Structure no. 011106000000086

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2021
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
1993 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Rat Lake Road over Stormcastle Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Rat Lake Road over Stormcastle Creek in Gallatin County, Montana. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 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 27 ft (8.1 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesRat Lake Road
CrossesStormcastle Creek
LocationJust Past Storm Castle Cg
RouteFederal Lands Road 1325
CountyGallatin County
StateMontana
Coordinates45.43235, -111.15704
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2021
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating66.8 US tons
Inventory rating51.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length27 ft (8.1 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.5 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.7 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1993)
Projected traffic75 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rat Lake Road over Stormcastle Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rat Lake Road over Stormcastle 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 2021.

How much traffic does Rat Lake Road over Stormcastle Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1993 count).

How long is Rat Lake Road over Stormcastle Creek?

The structure is 27 ft (8.1 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.5 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Rat Lake Road over Stormcastle Creek?

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