US Bridges

Beach Drive over Rock Creek

Fair

District of Columbia, District of Columbia · Broad Branch Road Interse · Structure no. 3450009P0000000

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
109 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
14,500
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Beach Drive over Rock Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Beach Drive over Rock Creek in District of Columbia, District of Columbia. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 5 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 14,500 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,950 by 2039. The structure is 109 ft (33.2 m) long and 45 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesBeach Drive
CrossesRock Creek
LocationBroad Branch Road Interse
RouteFederal Lands Road 10
CountyDistrict of Columbia
StateDistrict of Columbia
Coordinates38.94397, -77.04956
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating81 US tons
Inventory rating37 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length109 ft (33.2 m)
Longest span102 ft (31.2 m)
Deck width45 ft (13.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic14,500 (2019)
Projected traffic15,950 by 2039
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$165,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Beach Drive over Rock Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 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 14,500 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Beach Drive over Rock Creek?

The structure is 109 ft (33.2 m) long with a longest span of 102 ft (31.2 m) and a deck 45 ft wide.

Who owns Beach Drive over Rock Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.