US Bridges

Nfa A051 over Little Sewee Creek

Fair

McMinn County, Tennessee · .3 MI from Meigs County · Structure no. 540A0510003

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
61 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
170
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A051 over Little Sewee Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Nfa A051 over Little Sewee Creek in McMinn County, Tennessee. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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.

It carries about 170 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 272 by 2042. The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNfa A051
CrossesLittle Sewee Creek
Location.3 MI from Meigs County
RouteCounty Highway 51
CountyMcMinn County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.58914, -84.6572
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39.7 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length61 ft (18.6 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic170 (2020)
Projected traffic272 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$220,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A051 over Little Sewee Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nfa A051 over Little Sewee 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Nfa A051 over Little Sewee Creek carry?

About 170 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Nfa A051 over Little Sewee Creek?

The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A051 over Little Sewee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.