Rd 278 over Bear CR
Lincoln County, Montana · rated Fair in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- Rd 278 over Bear CR in Lincoln County, Montana, is rated in fair condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the substructure, rated 6 (satisfactory condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 1976, making it 49 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 50 vehicles a day.
- It is one of 92 of the 191 inventoried bridges in Lincoln County rated fair (48.2%); 29 (15.2%) are rated poor.
- Its traffic status in the 2025 inventory is closed to all traffic (NBI item 41).
- Its class is unchanged from 2024 (fair), but component ratings moved: deck 8 to 7.
- Its most recent inspection on record is dated July 2024, on a 24-month routine inspection cycle.
- A fair rating means the lowest-rated major component scores 5 or 6 on FHWA's 0-9 scale: some deterioration or minor section loss, but the structure is sound. It is the middle class, not a warning.
View this bridge on a map → (48.18127, -115.57189)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 8 | 7 | Good condition |
| Superstructure | 8 | 8 | Very good condition |
| Substructure | 6 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Timber stringer or multi-beam girder |
| Length | about 36 ft |
| Location | Near Jct W/u. Bear CR. |
| NBI structure number | 011405000000138 |
| Condition class | Fair |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Closed to all traffic |
| Last inspection (item 90) | July 2024 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 4: foundations stable, field review says exposed foundations need protection |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the Montana department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Lincoln County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 2 over Flower Creek | 1970 | 8,882 | Good |
| California Ave over Kootenai River | 1959 | 5,674 | Fair |
| US 2 over Big Cherry Creek | 1976 | 5,295 | Poor |
| California Ave over RR | 1999 | 4,833 | Good |
| US 2 over Callahan Creek | 1989 | 3,671 | Fair |
| US 2 over Lake Creek | 1989 | 3,377 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: Lincoln County, MT bridge conditions · every bridge in Lincoln County · Montana bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.