US Bridges

S 253 over Yellowstone River

Fair

Prairie County, Montana · 1M NE Terry · Structure no. S00253001+03031

Built
1959
66 years old, rebuilt 2012
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
896 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
441
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

S 253 over Yellowstone River is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying S 253 over Yellowstone River in Prairie County, Montana. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 2012, so it is 66 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 441 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 463 by 2043. The structure is 896 ft (273.2 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 44.7 mi (72 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesS 253
CrossesYellowstone River
Location1M NE Terry
RouteState Highway 253
CountyPrairie County
StateMontana
Coordinates46.80454, -105.29582
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating22 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4 (+4 approach)
Design loadHS 15
Structure length896 ft (273.2 m)
Longest span210 ft (64 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic441 (2023)
Projected traffic463 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed44.7 mi (72 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$2.6 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was S 253 over Yellowstone River built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2012.

What condition is S 253 over Yellowstone 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does S 253 over Yellowstone River carry?

About 441 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is S 253 over Yellowstone River?

The structure is 896 ft (273.2 m) long with a longest span of 210 ft (64 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns S 253 over Yellowstone River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.