KOOCANUSA BRIDGE

KOOCANUSA BRIDGE carries traffic over KOOCANUSA RESERVOIR in Lincoln County, Montana. Built in 1971, this structure is 55 years old, placing it among the older bridges still in active service. The bridge features steel construction with a truss - deck design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Approximately 75 vehicles cross this bridge daily, indicating lower traffic volumes common for local roads and rural routes. While traffic is lighter, these bridges still serve essential community transportation needs.

The bridge is currently rated in fair condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. The structure meets current safety standards for its designated use and load capacity. With a total length of 244 feet, this structure falls within the typical range requiring standard inspection procedures conducted by certified bridge inspectors.

Steel bridges provide high strength-to-weight ratios, making them suitable for longer spans. However, they require ongoing protection against corrosion through painting or weathering steel designs. Inspectors pay close attention to connection points, fatigue cracking, and coating condition.

Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.