US Bridges

Laurel Airport RD over Big Ditch 044

Fair

Yellowstone County, Montana · 3M NE Laurel · Structure no. L56507008+04001

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
49 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
881
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Laurel Airport RD over Big Ditch 044 is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Laurel Airport RD over Big Ditch 044 in Yellowstone County, Montana. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 6 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 881 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 938 by 2043. The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLaurel Airport RD
CrossesBig Ditch 044
Location3M NE Laurel
RouteCounty Highway 56507
CountyYellowstone County
StateMontana
Coordinates45.6973, -108.73028
Functional classUrban 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating17 US tons
Inventory rating6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length49 ft (14.9 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic881 (2023)
Projected traffic938 by 2043
Trucks3%
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

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Laurel Airport RD over Big Ditch 044 built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Laurel Airport RD over Big Ditch 044 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Laurel Airport RD over Big Ditch 044 carry?

About 881 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Laurel Airport RD over Big Ditch 044?

The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Laurel Airport RD over Big Ditch 044?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.