US Bridges

Foothills Parkway over Butterfly Gap Road

Good

Blount County, Tennessee · 11.3 Miles Northeast from · Structure no. 5460028P0000000

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Good
inspected February 2025
Type
Frame
Concrete
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
305
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Foothills Parkway over Butterfly Gap Road is a concrete frame carrying Foothills Parkway over Butterfly Gap Road in Blount County, Tennessee. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 years old, older than the Tennessee average of 47.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 305 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 335 by 2039. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFoothills Parkway
CrossesButterfly Gap Road
Location11.3 Miles Northeast from
RouteFederal Lands Road 8
CountyBlount County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.67158, -83.90197
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating34.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic305 (2019)
Projected traffic335 by 2039
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$8,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Foothills Parkway over Butterfly Gap Road built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Foothills Parkway over Butterfly Gap Road in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in February 2025.

How much traffic does Foothills Parkway over Butterfly Gap Road carry?

About 305 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Foothills Parkway over Butterfly Gap Road?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Foothills Parkway over Butterfly Gap Road?

It is owned by the National Park Service.