US Bridges

W Milwaukee Ave over Clark Fork River

Fair

Powell County, Montana · Deer Lodge · Structure no. S00272000+03441

Built
1940
85 years old, rebuilt 1997
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,314
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

W Milwaukee Ave over Clark Fork River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying W Milwaukee Ave over Clark Fork River in Powell County, Montana. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 1997, so it is 85 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 3,314 vehicles a day, projected to reach 3,480 by 2043. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesW Milwaukee Ave
CrossesClark Fork River
LocationDeer Lodge
RouteState Highway 272
CountyPowell County
StateMontana
Coordinates46.39814, -112.74259
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating42 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span46 ft (14.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,314 (2023)
Projected traffic3,480 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$338,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was W Milwaukee Ave over Clark Fork River built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1997.

What condition is W Milwaukee Ave over Clark Fork River 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 W Milwaukee Ave over Clark Fork River carry?

About 3,314 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is W Milwaukee Ave over Clark Fork River?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns W Milwaukee Ave over Clark Fork River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.