US Bridges

Road 317 over Drag Creek

PoorPosted for load

Petroleum County, Montana · Sect 11 T18N R29E · Structure no. 000061520-00036

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
24 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2
2024 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Fish and Wildlife

About this bridge

Road 317 over Drag Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Road 317 over Drag Creek in Petroleum County, Montana. It was built in 1963, 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 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 2 vehicles a day, projected to reach 2 by 2044. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad 317
CrossesDrag Creek
LocationSect 11 T18N R29E
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountyPetroleum County
StateMontana
Coordinates47.34167, -107.96917
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating31 US tons
Inventory rating23 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.4 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.7 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deck107 ft (32.7 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2 (2024)
Projected traffic2 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Fish and Wildlife
Maintained byBureau of Fish and Wildlife
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$230,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road 317 over Drag Creek built?

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

What condition is Road 317 over Drag 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Road 317 over Drag Creek carry?

About 2 vehicles per day (2024 count).

How long is Road 317 over Drag Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.4 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Road 317 over Drag Creek?

It is owned by the Bureau of Fish and Wildlife.