US Bridges

I 94 over Bighorn River

Fair

Yellowstone County, Montana · 0.6M W Bighorn · Structure no. I00094052+01481

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
580 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,613
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I 94 over Bighorn River is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying I 94 over Bighorn River in Yellowstone 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.

It carries about 2,613 vehicles a day, roughly 24% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,743 by 2043. The structure is 580 ft (176.8 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI 94
CrossesBighorn River
Location0.6M W Bighorn
RouteInterstate 94
CountyYellowstone County
StateMontana
Coordinates46.14387, -107.46341
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
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 within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length580 ft (176.8 m)
Longest span188 ft (57.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,613 (2023)
Projected traffic2,743 by 2043
Trucks24%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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$1.4 million
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was I 94 over Bighorn River built?

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

What condition is I 94 over Bighorn 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 I 94 over Bighorn River carry?

About 2,613 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 24% are trucks.

How long is I 94 over Bighorn River?

The structure is 580 ft (176.8 m) long with a longest span of 188 ft (57.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns I 94 over Bighorn River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.