US Bridges

Big Creek Road over Big Creek

Poor

Park County, Montana · S. of Livingston · Structure no. 011102000000095

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
41 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Big Creek Road over Big Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Big Creek Road over Big Creek in Park County, Montana. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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 41 ft (12.5 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBig Creek Road
CrossesBig Creek
LocationS. of Livingston
RouteFederal Lands Road 2500
CountyPark County
StateMontana
Coordinates45.3055, -110.93553
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating31.1 US tons
Inventory rating23.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 15
Structure length41 ft (12.5 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.6 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 Big Creek Road over Big Creek built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is Big Creek Road over Big Creek 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 September 2023.

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

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is Big Creek Road over Big Creek?

The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Big Creek Road over Big Creek?

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