US Bridges

Forge Creek Road over Forge Creek

Good

Blount County, Tennessee · 1.5 MI to NPS Rte. 500 · Structure no. 5460034P0000000

Built
1982
43 years old, rebuilt 2022
Condition
Good
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
57 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Forge Creek Road over Forge Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forge Creek Road over Forge Creek in Blount County, Tennessee. It was built in 1982 and reconstructed in 2022, so it is 43 years old, younger 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 110 by 2039. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

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CarriesForge Creek Road
CrossesForge Creek
Location1.5 MI to NPS Rte. 500
RouteFederal Lands Road 126
CountyBlount County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.57025, -83.84725
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating110.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.8 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2019)
Projected traffic110 by 2039
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 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 Forge Creek Road over Forge Creek built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2022.

What condition is Forge Creek Road over Forge Creek 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Forge Creek Road over Forge Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Forge Creek Road over Forge Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Forge Creek Road over Forge Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.