US Bridges

Laurel Creek Road over West Prong Little River

Fair

Blount County, Tennessee · 5.7 MI to Cades Cove · Structure no. 5460017P0000000

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
48 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,436
2022 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Laurel Creek Road over West Prong Little River is a concrete arch - deck carrying Laurel Creek Road over West Prong Little River in Blount County, Tennessee. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 years old, older than the Tennessee average of 47.4 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 4,436 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,323 by 2042. The structure is 48 ft (14.7 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLaurel Creek Road
CrossesWest Prong Little River
Location5.7 MI to Cades Cove
RouteFederal Lands Road 15
CountyBlount County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.64042, -83.71558
Functional classRural Minor 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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating32 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length48 ft (14.7 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.7 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,436 (2022)
Projected traffic5,323 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed49.7 mi (80 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$60,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Laurel Creek Road over West Prong Little River built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is Laurel Creek Road over West Prong Little 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Laurel Creek Road over West Prong Little River carry?

About 4,436 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Laurel Creek Road over West Prong Little River?

The structure is 48 ft (14.7 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.7 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Laurel Creek Road over West Prong Little River?

It is owned by the National Park Service.