US Bridges

Nfa A131 over Puncheon Creek

FairClosed to traffic

Macon County, Tennessee · On Purtle RD · Structure no. 560A1310001

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
21 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A131 over Puncheon Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Nfa A131 over Puncheon Creek in Macon County, Tennessee. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 100 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 160 by 2042. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesNfa A131
CrossesPuncheon Creek
LocationOn Purtle RD
RouteCounty Highway 131
CountyMacon County
StateTennessee
Coordinates36.56942, -86.03615
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating13.9 US tons
Inventory rating10 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.9 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2020)
Projected traffic160 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$329,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A131 over Puncheon Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nfa A131 over Puncheon 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 A131 over Puncheon Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Nfa A131 over Puncheon Creek?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.9 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A131 over Puncheon Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.