US Bridges

NFSR 221 over Sheeds Creek

Good

Polk County, Tennessee · National Forest · Structure no. 080403000003052

Built
1984
41 years old
Condition
Good
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
51 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
59
2005 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

NFSR 221 over Sheeds Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying NFSR 221 over Sheeds Creek in Polk County, Tennessee. It was built in 1984, so it is 41 years old, younger than the Tennessee average of 47.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 59 vehicles a day, projected to reach 88 by 2045. The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 15.5 mi (25 km).

CarriesNFSR 221
CrossesSheeds Creek
LocationNational Forest
RouteFederal Lands Road 221.1
Coordinates35.00258, -84.61789
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating58.5 US tons
Inventory rating45.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length51 ft (15.5 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.1 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic59 (2005)
Projected traffic88 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed15.5 mi (25 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NFSR 221 over Sheeds Creek built?

It was built in 1984, making it 41 years old in 2025.

What condition is NFSR 221 over Sheeds Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in January 2025.

How much traffic does NFSR 221 over Sheeds Creek carry?

About 59 vehicles per day (2005 count).

How long is NFSR 221 over Sheeds Creek?

The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.1 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns NFSR 221 over Sheeds Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.