US Bridges

RD 231 over Howard CR

Poor

Lincoln County, Montana · 1 MI Below Howard Lake · Structure no. 011405000000215

Built
1976
49 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

RD 231 over Howard CR is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying RD 231 over Howard CR in Lincoln County, Montana. It was built in 1976, so it is 49 years old, older than the Montana average of 47 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesRD 231
CrossesHoward CR
Location1 MI Below Howard Lake
RouteFederal Lands Road 231
CountyLincoln County
StateMontana
Coordinates48.11004, -115.54196
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating47.5 US tons
Inventory rating36.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span23 ft (6.9 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.7 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 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 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 RD 231 over Howard CR built?

It was built in 1976, making it 49 years old in 2025.

What condition is RD 231 over Howard CR in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does RD 231 over Howard CR carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is RD 231 over Howard CR?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (6.9 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns RD 231 over Howard CR?

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