Why did the truss bridge break up with the beam bridge? It needed more support.
Why did the truss bridge break up with the beam bridge? It needed more support.
Fun fact: Covered bridges were roofed to protect the wood, not the travelers.
over BITTERROOT RIVER 074
5M N DARBY
Parametric wireframe generated from real NBI dimensions. Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom.
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This bridge has a Fair overall condition rating of 6 out of 9. While it is not classified as structurally deficient, it shows some deterioration that is being monitored.
The bridge carries 289 vehicles per day and is 109 years old (reconstructed in 2001).
Its sufficiency rating of 60.0 places it below the national average of 63.6.
For travelers with bridge anxiety
This bridge may cause some awareness for travelers with bridge anxiety, but has manageable characteristics.
This bridge is 164 feet long — a short crossing, about 10-15 seconds.
A truss bridge — the steel framework can provide a sense of enclosure.
No height data available — likely a standard overpass height.
Only about 289 vehicles cross daily — very light traffic with low congestion risk.
The deck is 15 feet wide — a very narrow, single-lane crossing.
This bridge crosses over water. Focus on the road ahead — the water is far below.
This comfort score is designed to help individuals with bridge anxiety plan their travel. All bridges in the National Bridge Inventory are regularly inspected and deemed safe for travel. This is not medical advice — if you experience severe anxiety, please consult a healthcare professional.
Year Built
1917
109 years old (rebuilt 2001)
Structure Type
Steel Truss (Thru)
Total Length
164 ft
50.0 m
Deck Width
15 ft
4.7 m
Spans
1
sections between supports
Max Span
160 ft
longest unsupported section (48.8 m)
Traffic Lanes
1 lane
Daily Traffic
289vehicles/day
46.09248°N, 114.17561°W
Steel Truss (Thru)
A steel truss bridge uses a framework of interconnected triangular elements. The geometric rigidity of triangles makes this design extremely efficient at distributing loads.
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Data from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Data year: 2025. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as the sole basis for any decisions related to bridge safety or transportation planning. Always consult official sources and local authorities for the most current data.