US Bridges

Nfa A081 over Sweetwater Creek

Fair

Monroe County, Tennessee · E of US11 at Sweetwater · Structure no. 620A0810001

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A081 over Sweetwater Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Nfa A081 over Sweetwater Creek in Monroe County, Tennessee. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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 40 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 64 by 2042. The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNfa A081
CrossesSweetwater Creek
LocationE of US11 at Sweetwater
RouteCounty Highway 81
CountyMonroe County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.62513, -84.44822
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
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 typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.2 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2020)
Projected traffic64 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$230,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A081 over Sweetwater Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nfa A081 over Sweetwater 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 2024.

How much traffic does Nfa A081 over Sweetwater Creek carry?

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

How long is Nfa A081 over Sweetwater Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A081 over Sweetwater Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.