US Bridges

Nfa A797 over Elk River

Fair

Carter County, Tennessee · S of SR159 near St. Line · Structure no. 100A7970001

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
212 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
590
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A797 over Elk River is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Nfa A797 over Elk River in Carter County, Tennessee. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 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 590 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 944 by 2041. The structure is 212 ft (64.6 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNfa A797
CrossesElk River
LocationS of SR159 near St. Line
RouteCounty Highway 797
CountyCarter County
StateTennessee
Coordinates36.27363, -81.99162
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating71.4 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length212 ft (64.6 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic590 (2020)
Projected traffic944 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A797 over Elk River built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nfa A797 over Elk 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Nfa A797 over Elk River carry?

About 590 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Nfa A797 over Elk River?

The structure is 212 ft (64.6 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A797 over Elk River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.