US Bridges

Nfa A878 over Paperville Creek

Fair

Sullivan County, Tennessee · Just SE of SR44-US421 JCT · Structure no. 820A8780001

Built
1958
67 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
280
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A878 over Paperville Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Nfa A878 over Paperville Creek in Sullivan County, Tennessee. It was built in 1958, so it is 67 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 6 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 280 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 448 by 2042. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNfa A878
CrossesPaperville Creek
LocationJust SE of SR44-US421 JCT
RouteCounty Highway 878
CountySullivan County
StateTennessee
Coordinates36.54555, -82.13638
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating93.3 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic280 (2020)
Projected traffic448 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$160,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A878 over Paperville Creek built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nfa A878 over Paperville Creek 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does Nfa A878 over Paperville Creek carry?

About 280 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Nfa A878 over Paperville Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A878 over Paperville Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.