FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

FOREST ROAD

Carrying FOREST ROAD over GRAVES CREEK

GRAVES CREEK AREA, Flathead, Montana

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
23 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: FOREST ROAD

The FOREST ROAD bridge in Flathead, Montana carries FOREST ROAD over GRAVES CREEK. It was built in 1970, making it 56 years old today. The structure is built primarily of wood or timber and spans 1 section, stretching 12.2 meters (40 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 10 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Montana bridges. It is owned and maintained by U.S. Forest Service.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure at 7/9, substructure at 4/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 22.7 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How FOREST ROAD compares

▼ 8.0
Load rating vs Montana average (30.7 t)
Bottom 22%
Lower load rating than 78% of Montana bridges
195
Bridges in Flathead · 9 in Poor condition
FOREST ROAD 22.7 t
Montana average 30.7 t

Live comparison across Montana.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
48.2 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
20.2
Serviceability /30
13.0
Essentiality /15
15.0
Special reductions
0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
7/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
22.7 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1970
Material
Wood or Timber
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
12.2 m (40 ft)
Deck Width
4.7 m (15 ft)
Owner
U.S. Forest Service
Avg Daily Traffic
10 vehicles/day
Structure Number
011006000000107

Condition Analysis

  • At 7/9, the deck (driving surface) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) rates good at 7/9, with no significant deterioration on file.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) rates poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.

How to read this record

FOREST ROAD is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare FOREST ROAD against other structures in Flathead and across Montana. Montana bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for FOREST ROAD?

FOREST ROAD in Flathead, Montana has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 4/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is FOREST ROAD inspected?

FOREST ROAD's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 10 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. FOREST ROAD is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for FOREST ROAD?

FOREST ROAD has an NBI inventory load rating of 22.7 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining FOREST ROAD?

FOREST ROAD is owned and maintained by U.S. Forest Service.

How old is FOREST ROAD and does age affect safety?

FOREST ROAD was built in 1970, making it 56 years old.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.