US Bridges

Nfa A502 over Flippen Creek

FairPosted for load

Gibson County, Tennessee · 2.7 MI N JCT SR43&SR77 · Structure no. 270A5020001

Built
1974
51 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
41 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
40
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A502 over Flippen Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Nfa A502 over Flippen Creek in Gibson County, Tennessee. It was built in 1974 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 51 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 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 64 by 2041. The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesNfa A502
CrossesFlippen Creek
Location2.7 MI N JCT SR43&SR77
RouteCounty Highway 502
CountyGibson County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.95931, -88.75452
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating10 US tons
Inventory rating6.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length41 ft (12.5 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2020)
Projected traffic64 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$265,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A502 over Flippen Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is Nfa A502 over Flippen 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Nfa A502 over Flippen Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Nfa A502 over Flippen Creek?

The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A502 over Flippen Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.