FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

FAU 3566

Carrying FAU 3566 over INACTIVE NS RR SPUR

IN DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA, Hamilton, Tennessee

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
32 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: FAU 3566

The FAU 3566 bridge in Hamilton, Tennessee carries FAU 3566 over INACTIVE NS RR SPUR. It was built in 1906, making it 120 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1947, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 297.8 meters (977 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,659 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Tennessee bridges. It is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 4/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. A component scored 4 or below, placing this bridge in the federal Poor condition category rather than declaring it unsafe or closed. Its NBI inventory load rating is 32.4 metric tons.

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

How FAU 3566 compares

▲ 2.9
Load rating vs Tennessee average (29.5 t)
Bottom 39%
Lower load rating than 61% of Tennessee bridges
464
Bridges in Hamilton · 23 in Poor condition
FAU 3566 32.4 t
Tennessee average 29.5 t

Live comparison across Tennessee.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
63.4 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
30.0
Serviceability /30
22.0
Essentiality /15
14.4
Special reductions
−3.0

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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
32.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1906
Last Reconstructed
1947
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
297.8 m (977 ft)
Deck Width
15.8 m (52 ft)
Owner
City/Municipal Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
2,659 vehicles/day
Structure Number
33L35660001

Condition Analysis

  • At 5/9, the deck (driving surface) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • At 5/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in poor condition (4/9), showing advanced deterioration that may require priority repair.

How to read this record

FAU 3566 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 FAU 3566 against other structures in Hamilton and across Tennessee. Tennessee 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 FAU 3566?

FAU 3566 in Hamilton, Tennessee has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 4/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is FAU 3566 inspected?

FAU 3566'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 2,659 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. FAU 3566 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 FAU 3566?

FAU 3566 has an NBI inventory load rating of 32.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining FAU 3566?

FAU 3566 is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency.

How old is FAU 3566 and does age affect safety?

FAU 3566 was built in 1906, making it 120 years old and last reconstructed in 1947.

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.