US Bridges

Chief Mountain Int over Lee Creek

Fair

Glacier County, Montana · 12.7 Miles North of Saint · Structure no. 1430032P0000000

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1979
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
210 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
246
2017 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Chief Mountain Int over Lee Creek is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying Chief Mountain Int over Lee Creek in Glacier County, Montana. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1979, so it is 90 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 246 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 295 by 2037. The structure is 210 ft (63.9 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesChief Mountain Int
CrossesLee Creek
Location12.7 Miles North of Saint
RouteFederal Lands Road 18201
CountyGlacier County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.98253, -113.63042
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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 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 rating41 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length210 ft (63.9 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic246 (2017)
Projected traffic295 by 2037
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$227,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Chief Mountain Int over Lee Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1979.

What condition is Chief Mountain Int over Lee 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 2023.

How much traffic does Chief Mountain Int over Lee Creek carry?

About 246 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Chief Mountain Int over Lee Creek?

The structure is 210 ft (63.9 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Chief Mountain Int over Lee Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.