US Bridges

Laurel Creek Road over Laurel Creek

Good

Sevier County, Tennessee · 2.2 MI to NPS Rte. 16 · Structure no. 5460018P0000000

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Good
inspected February 2025
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
50 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,436
2022 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Laurel Creek Road over Laurel Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Laurel Creek Road over Laurel Creek in Sevier County, Tennessee. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 years old, older 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 4,436 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,323 by 2042. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

CarriesLaurel Creek Road
CrossesLaurel Creek
Location2.2 MI to NPS Rte. 16
RouteFederal Lands Road 15
Coordinates35.63961, -83.71642
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating31 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,436 (2022)
Projected traffic5,323 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Laurel Creek Road over Laurel Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is Laurel Creek Road over Laurel 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Laurel Creek Road over Laurel Creek carry?

About 4,436 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Laurel Creek Road over Laurel Creek?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Laurel Creek Road over Laurel Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.