US Bridges

Steep Creek Road over Big Creek

Fair

Lincoln County, Montana · Big CR · Structure no. 011401000000133

Built
1963
62 years old, rebuilt 1995
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
51 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Steep Creek Road over Big Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Steep Creek Road over Big Creek in Lincoln County, Montana. It was built in 1963 and reconstructed in 1995, so it is 62 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 40 vehicles a day, projected to reach 60 by 2045. The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 34.8 mi (56 km).

Location

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CarriesSteep Creek Road
CrossesBig Creek
LocationBig CR
RouteFederal Lands Road 255
CountyLincoln County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.75602, -115.39501
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating36.4 US tons
Inventory rating28.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length51 ft (15.5 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (—)
Projected traffic60 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed34.8 mi (56 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 Steep Creek Road over Big Creek built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1995.

What condition is Steep Creek Road over Big 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Steep Creek Road over Big Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is Steep Creek Road over Big Creek?

The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Steep Creek Road over Big Creek?

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