US Bridges

FAP 73 over Little Pigeon River

Fair

Sevier County, Tennessee · 3.24 Mi.E.Of Gatlinburg · Structure no. 78SR0730019

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
281 ft
9 main spans
Daily traffic
11,336
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FAP 73 over Little Pigeon River is a concrete tee beam carrying FAP 73 over Little Pigeon River in Sevier County, Tennessee. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 11,336 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 17,310 by 2042. The structure is 281 ft (85.6 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 70.8 mi (114 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFAP 73
CrossesLittle Pigeon River
Location3.24 Mi.E.Of Gatlinburg
RouteU.S. Route 321
CountySevier County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.73903, -83.41662
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.6 US tons
Inventory rating34.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans9
Design loadHS 20
Structure length281 ft (85.6 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,336 (2021)
Projected traffic17,310 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed70.8 mi (114 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FAP 73 over Little Pigeon River built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is FAP 73 over Little Pigeon 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does FAP 73 over Little Pigeon River carry?

About 11,336 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is FAP 73 over Little Pigeon River?

The structure is 281 ft (85.6 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns FAP 73 over Little Pigeon River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.