FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

UPPER FORD RD

Carrying UPPER FORD RD over E FORK YAAK RIVER 151

13M NE YAAK, Lincoln, Montana

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
28 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: UPPER FORD RD

The UPPER FORD RD bridge in Lincoln, Montana carries UPPER FORD RD over E FORK YAAK RIVER 151. It was built in 1953, making it 73 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 11.0 meters (36 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 100 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 7/9, superstructure at 6/9, 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 28.1 metric tons.

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

How UPPER FORD RD compares

▼ 2.6
Load rating vs Montana average (30.7 t)
Bottom 44%
Lower load rating than 56% of Montana bridges
190
Bridges in Lincoln · 28 in Poor condition
UPPER FORD RD 28.1 t
Montana average 30.7 t

Live comparison across Montana.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
52.9 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
27.1
Serviceability /30
13.0
Essentiality /15
14.8
Special reductions
−2.0

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 How the historical reference is calculated.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

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1953
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
11.0 m (36 ft)
Deck Width
5.0 m (16 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
100 vehicles/day
Structure Number
L27417004+03001

Condition Analysis

  • At 7/9, the deck (driving surface) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • At 6/9, 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

UPPER FORD RD 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 UPPER FORD RD 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 UPPER FORD RD?

UPPER FORD RD in Lincoln, Montana has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 6/9, and substructure rating of 4/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is UPPER FORD RD inspected?

UPPER FORD 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 100 vehicles per day.

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

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

UPPER FORD RD has an NBI inventory load rating of 28.1 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining UPPER FORD RD?

UPPER FORD RD is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is UPPER FORD RD and does age affect safety?

UPPER FORD RD was built in 1953, making it 73 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.