FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

NFA A381

Carrying NFA A381 over BLUFF CREEK

4.2 MI SW JCT SR24&SR264, Smith, Tennessee

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
14 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: NFA A381

The NFA A381 bridge in Smith, Tennessee carries NFA A381 over BLUFF CREEK. It was built in 1920, making it 106 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 7.3 meters (24 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 110 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Tennessee bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 5/9. 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 13.9 metric tons.

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

How NFA A381 compares

▼ 15.6
Load rating vs Tennessee average (29.5 t)
Bottom 3%
Lower load rating than 97% of Tennessee bridges
202
Bridges in Smith · 18 in Poor condition
NFA A381 13.9 t
Tennessee average 29.5 t

Live comparison across Tennessee.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
56.3 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
19.1
Serviceability /30
22.3
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
13.9 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1920
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
7.3 m (24 ft)
Deck Width
8.5 m (28 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
110 vehicles/day
Structure Number
800A3810001

Condition Analysis

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

How to read this record

NFA A381 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 NFA A381 against other structures in Smith 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 NFA A381?

NFA A381 in Smith, Tennessee has a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is NFA A381 inspected?

NFA A381'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 110 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. NFA A381 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 NFA A381?

NFA A381 has an NBI inventory load rating of 13.9 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining NFA A381?

NFA A381 is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is NFA A381 and does age affect safety?

NFA A381 was built in 1920, making it 106 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.