US Bridges

State Park Road over Medicine Lodge Creek

Fair

Big Horn County, Wyoming · Medicine Lodge State Park · Structure no. FMK

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
33
2024 count
Owner
State
State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency

About this bridge

State Park Road over Medicine Lodge Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying State Park Road over Medicine Lodge Creek in Big Horn County, Wyoming. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 years old, younger than the Wyoming average of 48.4 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 33 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 46 by 2043. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesState Park Road
CrossesMedicine Lodge Creek
LocationMedicine Lodge State Park
RouteFederal Lands Road MLSP1
CountyBig Horn County
StateWyoming
Coordinates44.29851, -107.54101
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating79 US tons
Inventory rating54 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.4 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic33 (2024)
Projected traffic46 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency
Maintained byState Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$39,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was State Park Road over Medicine Lodge Creek built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is State Park Road over Medicine Lodge 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 2025.

How much traffic does State Park Road over Medicine Lodge Creek carry?

About 33 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is State Park Road over Medicine Lodge Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns State Park Road over Medicine Lodge Creek?

It is owned by the State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency.