US Bridges

Nfa A390 over Bell Buckle Creek

Poor

Bedford County, Tennessee · 2 M. Nw. Bell Buckle. · Structure no. 020A3900001

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
21 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
60
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A390 over Bell Buckle Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Nfa A390 over Bell Buckle Creek in Bedford County, Tennessee. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 years old, older than the Tennessee average of 47.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 60 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 96 by 2041. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNfa A390
CrossesBell Buckle Creek
Location2 M. Nw. Bell Buckle.
RouteCounty Highway 390
CountyBedford County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.61368, -86.37752
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.4 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2020)
Projected traffic96 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$175,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A390 over Bell Buckle Creek built?

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

What condition is Nfa A390 over Bell Buckle Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in February 2023.

How much traffic does Nfa A390 over Bell Buckle Creek carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Nfa A390 over Bell Buckle Creek?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A390 over Bell Buckle Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.