US Bridges

FAS 438 over Buffalo River

Fair

Perry County, Tennessee · 0.15 Mi. E. of SR-13 · Structure no. 68SR0500001

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
763 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
1,134
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FAS 438 over Buffalo River is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - single or spread carrying FAS 438 over Buffalo River in Perry County, Tennessee. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 1,134 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,355 by 2041. The structure is 763 ft (232.6 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 60.9 mi (98 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFAS 438
CrossesBuffalo River
Location0.15 Mi. E. of SR-13
RouteState Highway 438
CountyPerry County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.70823, -87.79743
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36.8 US tons
Inventory rating24.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8
Design loadHS 20
Structure length763 ft (232.6 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,134 (2021)
Projected traffic1,355 by 2041
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed60.9 mi (98 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 FAS 438 over Buffalo River built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is FAS 438 over Buffalo 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does FAS 438 over Buffalo River carry?

About 1,134 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is FAS 438 over Buffalo River?

The structure is 763 ft (232.6 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns FAS 438 over Buffalo River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.