FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

NFA A254

Carrying NFA A254 over ROCK CREEK

IN ERWIN, Unicoi, Tennessee

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
3 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: NFA A254

The NFA A254 bridge in Unicoi, Tennessee carries NFA A254 over ROCK CREEK. It was built in 1978, making it 48 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 11.7 meters (38 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 430 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic 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 4/9, substructure at 5/9. 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 2.6 metric tons.

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

How NFA A254 compares

▼ 26.9
Load rating vs Tennessee average (29.5 t)
Bottom 1%
Lower load rating than 99% of Tennessee bridges
161
Bridges in Unicoi · 8 in Poor condition
NFA A254 2.6 t
Tennessee average 29.5 t

Live comparison across Tennessee.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
17.0 / 100 - historical under-20 band
Structural adequacy /55
0.0
Serviceability /30
6.0
Essentiality /15
11.0
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
2.6 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1978
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
11.7 m (38 ft)
Deck Width
4.3 m (14 ft)
Owner
City/Municipal Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
430 vehicles/day
Structure Number
860A2540003

Condition Analysis

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

How to read this record

NFA A254 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 A254 against other structures in Unicoi 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 A254?

NFA A254 in Unicoi, Tennessee has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is NFA A254 inspected?

NFA A254'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 430 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. NFA A254 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 A254?

NFA A254 has an NBI inventory load rating of 2.6 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining NFA A254?

NFA A254 is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency.

How old is NFA A254 and does age affect safety?

NFA A254 was built in 1978, making it 48 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.