US Bridges

Road 201 over Nichols Coulee

FairPosted for load

Phillips County, Montana · Sect 10 T21N R27E · Structure no. 000061520-00042

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
31 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
15
2024 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Fish and Wildlife

About this bridge

Road 201 over Nichols Coulee is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Road 201 over Nichols Coulee in Phillips 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 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2044. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.2 mi (26 km).

Location

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CarriesRoad 201
CrossesNichols Coulee
LocationSect 10 T21N R27E
RouteFederal Lands Road 201
CountyPhillips County
StateMontana
Coordinates47.59183, -108.23283
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating30 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.7 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deck107 ft (32.7 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2024)
Projected traffic15 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.2 mi (26 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$270,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road 201 over Nichols Coulee built?

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

What condition is Road 201 over Nichols Coulee 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 2024.

How much traffic does Road 201 over Nichols Coulee carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2024 count).

How long is Road 201 over Nichols Coulee?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Road 201 over Nichols Coulee?

It is owned by the Bureau of Fish and Wildlife.