US Bridges

Forest Road over Glacier Creek

Fair

Missoula County, Montana · Elk Creek Road · Structure no. 011001000000114

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
75 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
1992 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Glacier Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road over Glacier Creek in Missoula County, Montana. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 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 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2045. The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Road
CrossesGlacier Creek
LocationElk Creek Road
RouteFederal Lands Road 9591
CountyMissoula County
StateMontana
Coordinates47.49216, -113.74176
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
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 rating78.9 US tons
Inventory rating61.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length75 ft (22.9 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.6 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (1992)
Projected traffic15 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 Forest Road over Glacier Creek built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Glacier 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 2023.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Glacier Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (1992 count).

How long is Forest Road over Glacier Creek?

The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.6 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Glacier Creek?

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