US Bridges

Forest Lk. Rd. 66 over W Fk Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Meagher County, Montana · 4.5 MI SW Cnty-Cotnwd JCT · Structure no. 011506000000008

Built
1969
56 years old, rebuilt 1986
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Lk. Rd. 66 over W Fk Cottonwood Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Lk. Rd. 66 over W Fk Cottonwood Creek in Meagher County, Montana. It was built in 1969 and reconstructed in 1986, so it is 56 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 5 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 29 ft (8.7 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Lk. Rd. 66
CrossesW Fk Cottonwood Creek
Location4.5 MI SW Cnty-Cotnwd JCT
RouteFederal Lands Road 66
CountyMeagher County
StateMontana
Coordinates46.29661, -110.45009
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour evaluation has not been made
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating20 US tons
Inventory rating15.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length29 ft (8.7 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.7 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$39,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Lk. Rd. 66 over W Fk Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1986.

What condition is Forest Lk. Rd. 66 over W Fk Cottonwood 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 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Lk. Rd. 66 over W Fk Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is Forest Lk. Rd. 66 over W Fk Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 29 ft (8.7 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Lk. Rd. 66 over W Fk Cottonwood Creek?

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