US Bridges

Beach Drive over Rock Creek

Fair

District of Columbia, District of Columbia · 1.5 Miles from Joyce Road · Structure no. 3450008P0000000

Built
1902
123 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
79 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
13,100
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Beach Drive over Rock Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Beach Drive over Rock Creek in District of Columbia, District of Columbia. It was built in 1902, so it is 123 years old, older than the District of Columbia average of 63.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 13,100 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,410 by 2039. The structure is 79 ft (24.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBeach Drive
CrossesRock Creek
Location1.5 Miles from Joyce Road
RouteFederal Lands Road 10
CountyDistrict of Columbia
StateDistrict of Columbia
Coordinates38.94837, -77.04506
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating33 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length79 ft (24.2 m)
Longest span79 ft (24.2 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,100 (2019)
Projected traffic14,410 by 2039
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$66,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Beach Drive over Rock Creek built?

It was built in 1902, making it 123 years old in 2025.

What condition is Beach Drive over Rock Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in July 2023.

How much traffic does Beach Drive over Rock Creek carry?

About 13,100 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Beach Drive over Rock Creek?

The structure is 79 ft (24.2 m) long with a longest span of 79 ft (24.2 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Beach Drive over Rock Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.