FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

RD 231

Carrying RD 231 over LAKE CR

1 MI E LAKE CR CAMPGROUND, Lincoln, Montana

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
23 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: RD 231

The RD 231 bridge in Lincoln, Montana carries RD 231 over LAKE CR. It was built in 1961, making it 65 years old today. The structure is built primarily of wood or timber and spans 1 section, stretching 12.0 meters (39 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 50 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 8/9, 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 23.3 metric tons.

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

How RD 231 compares

▼ 7.4
Load rating vs Montana average (30.7 t)
Bottom 24%
Lower load rating than 76% of Montana bridges
190
Bridges in Lincoln · 28 in Poor condition
RD 231 23.3 t
Montana average 30.7 t

Live comparison across Montana.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
48.1 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
21.1
Serviceability /30
12.0
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
8/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
23.3 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1961
Material
Wood or Timber
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
12.0 m (39 ft)
Deck Width
4.7 m (15 ft)
Owner
U.S. Forest Service
Avg Daily Traffic
50 vehicles/day
Structure Number
011405000000217

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) is in good condition (8/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in poor condition (4/9), showing advanced deterioration that may require priority repair.

How to read this record

RD 231 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 RD 231 against other structures in Lincoln 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 RD 231?

RD 231 in Lincoln, Montana has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 8/9, and substructure rating of 4/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is RD 231 inspected?

RD 231'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 50 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. RD 231 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 RD 231?

RD 231 has an NBI inventory load rating of 23.3 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining RD 231?

RD 231 is owned and maintained by U.S. Forest Service.

How old is RD 231 and does age affect safety?

RD 231 was built in 1961, making it 65 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.