US Bridges

Fields Glch Road over Poorman Creek

Fair

Lewis and Clark County, Montana · Fields Gulch · Structure no. 011204000000031

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2003 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Fields Glch Road over Poorman Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fields Glch Road over Poorman Creek in Lewis and Clark County, Montana. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2045. The structure is 24 ft (7.2 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesFields Glch Road
CrossesPoorman Creek
LocationFields Gulch
RouteFederal Lands Road 1842
CountyLewis and Clark County
StateMontana
Coordinates46.89704, -112.65226
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length24 ft (7.2 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.7 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2003)
Projected traffic30 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 Fields Glch Road over Poorman Creek built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fields Glch Road over Poorman 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 2023.

How much traffic does Fields Glch Road over Poorman Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2003 count).

How long is Fields Glch Road over Poorman Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.2 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Fields Glch Road over Poorman Creek?

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