US Bridges

Parson Branch Road over Forge Creek

Fair

Blount County, Tennessee · 7.9 Miles from U.S. Route · Structure no. 5460037P0000000

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Parson Branch Road over Forge Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Parson Branch Road over Forge Creek in Blount County, Tennessee. It was built in 1982, 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 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 110 by 2039. The structure is 33 ft (10 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesParson Branch Road
CrossesForge Creek
Location7.9 Miles from U.S. Route
RouteFederal Lands Road 504
CountyBlount County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.56297, -83.84708
Functional classRural Local

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 inspectionJune 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating20.9 US tons
Inventory rating12 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length33 ft (10 m)
Longest span33 ft (10 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.7 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-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$45,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Parson Branch Road over Forge Creek built?

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

What condition is Parson Branch Road over Forge Creek 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 June 2024.

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

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

How long is Parson Branch Road over Forge Creek?

The structure is 33 ft (10 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Parson Branch Road over Forge Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.