US Bridges

Wear Cove Gap Road over Little River

FairPosted for load

Sevier County, Tennessee · 0.1 Miles North from NPS · Structure no. 5460045P0000000

Built
1951
74 years old, rebuilt 1995
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
90 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
100
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Wear Cove Gap Road over Little River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Wear Cove Gap Road over Little River in Sevier County, Tennessee. It was built in 1951 and reconstructed in 1995, so it is 74 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 100 vehicles a day, projected to reach 110 by 2039. The structure is 90 ft (27.3 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 44.7 mi (72 km).

Location

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CarriesWear Cove Gap Road
CrossesLittle River
Location0.1 Miles North from NPS
RouteFederal Lands Road 23
CountySevier County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.679, -83.64744
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating24 US tons
Inventory rating14 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadH 10
Structure length90 ft (27.3 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.1 m)
Deck width13 ft (4.1 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2019)
Projected traffic110 by 2039
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed44.7 mi (72 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$270,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wear Cove Gap Road over Little River built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1995.

What condition is Wear Cove Gap Road over Little 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Wear Cove Gap Road over Little River carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Wear Cove Gap Road over Little River?

The structure is 90 ft (27.3 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.1 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Wear Cove Gap Road over Little River?

It is owned by the National Park Service.