FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

LOWER N FORK RD

Carrying LOWER N FORK RD over N FK BIG HOLE RIVER 069

6M N WISDOM, Beaverhead, Montana

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
5 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: LOWER N FORK RD

The LOWER N FORK RD bridge in Beaverhead, Montana carries LOWER N FORK RD over N FK BIG HOLE RIVER 069. It was built in 1980, making it 46 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 2023, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 15.5 meters (51 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 44 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Montana bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. No reported major component scores in the Poor range under the current federal condition thresholds. Its NBI inventory load rating is 4.5 metric tons.

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

How LOWER N FORK RD compares

▼ 26.2
Load rating vs Montana average (30.7 t)
Bottom 1%
Lower load rating than 99% of Montana bridges
217
Bridges in Beaverhead · 20 in Poor condition
LOWER N FORK RD 4.5 t
Montana average 30.7 t

Live comparison across Montana.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
38.7 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
0.0
Serviceability /30
24.0
Essentiality /15
14.7
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
4.5 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1980
Last Reconstructed
2023
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
15.5 m (51 ft)
Deck Width
6.1 m (20 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
44 vehicles/day
Structure Number
L01003006+01001

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • 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) rates fair at 5/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether LOWER N FORK RD is safe to cross today. Here is how to use it.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Learn how the 0–9 condition scale and Good/Fair/Poor categories are defined. How condition ratings work
  • Compare LOWER N FORK RD against other structures in Beaverhead 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 LOWER N FORK RD?

LOWER N FORK RD in Beaverhead, Montana has a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is LOWER N FORK RD inspected?

LOWER N FORK RD'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 44 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. LOWER N FORK RD is currently shown as Fair condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for LOWER N FORK RD?

LOWER N FORK RD has an NBI inventory load rating of 4.5 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining LOWER N FORK RD?

LOWER N FORK RD is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is LOWER N FORK RD and does age affect safety?

LOWER N FORK RD was built in 1980, making it 46 years old and last reconstructed in 2023.

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.