US Bridges

Nfa A253 over Buffalo Creek

Fair

Carter County, Tennessee · .3MI SE of SR359 · Structure no. 10039900001

Built
1915
110 years old, rebuilt 1965
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
54 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,450
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A253 over Buffalo Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Nfa A253 over Buffalo Creek in Carter County, Tennessee. It was built in 1915 and reconstructed in 1965, so it is 110 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 3,450 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,520 by 2041. The structure is 54 ft (16.4 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNfa A253
CrossesBuffalo Creek
Location.3MI SE of SR359
RouteCounty Highway 253
CountyCarter County
StateTennessee
Coordinates36.30188, -82.29549
Functional classUrban 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39.7 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length54 ft (16.4 m)
Longest span52 ft (16 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.6 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,450 (2020)
Projected traffic5,520 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$271,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A253 over Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 1915, making it 110 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1965.

What condition is Nfa A253 over Buffalo 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Nfa A253 over Buffalo Creek carry?

About 3,450 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Nfa A253 over Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 54 ft (16.4 m) long with a longest span of 52 ft (16 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A253 over Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.