US Bridges

Gatlinburg Bypass over Ski Mountain Road

Fair

Sevier County, Tennessee · 1.1 Miles North from NPS · Structure no. 5460041P0000000

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Concrete Continuous
Length
283 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,635
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Gatlinburg Bypass over Ski Mountain Road is a concrete continuous box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Gatlinburg Bypass over Ski Mountain Road in Sevier County, Tennessee. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 2,635 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,900 by 2039. The structure is 283 ft (86.3 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGatlinburg Bypass
CrossesSki Mountain Road
Location1.1 Miles North from NPS
RouteFederal Lands Road 12
CountySevier County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.70628, -83.53336
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating88 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length283 ft (86.3 m)
Longest span109 ft (33.2 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,635 (2019)
Projected traffic2,900 by 2039
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway and waterway
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$143,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gatlinburg Bypass over Ski Mountain Road built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gatlinburg Bypass over Ski Mountain Road 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Gatlinburg Bypass over Ski Mountain Road carry?

About 2,635 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Gatlinburg Bypass over Ski Mountain Road?

The structure is 283 ft (86.3 m) long with a longest span of 109 ft (33.2 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Gatlinburg Bypass over Ski Mountain Road?

It is owned by the National Park Service.