US Bridges

Ross Drive over Horse Trail

Fair

District of Columbia, District of Columbia · 0.6 Miles from Joyce Road · Structure no. 3450012P0000000

Built
1907
118 years old, rebuilt 1968
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
163 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,800
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Ross Drive over Horse Trail is a concrete arch - deck carrying Ross Drive over Horse Trail in District of Columbia, District of Columbia. It was built in 1907 and reconstructed in 1968, so it is 118 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 1,800 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,980 by 2039. The structure is 163 ft (49.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoss Drive
CrossesHorse Trail
Location0.6 Miles from Joyce Road
RouteFederal Lands Road 16
CountyDistrict of Columbia
StateDistrict of Columbia
Coordinates38.95348, -77.0459
Functional classUrban Local

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+4 approach)
Design loadUnknown
Structure length163 ft (49.7 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,800 (2019)
Projected traffic1,980 by 2039
Trucks18%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$1.6 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ross Drive over Horse Trail built?

It was built in 1907, making it 118 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1968.

What condition is Ross Drive over Horse Trail 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 Ross Drive over Horse Trail carry?

About 1,800 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is Ross Drive over Horse Trail?

The structure is 163 ft (49.7 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Ross Drive over Horse Trail?

It is owned by the National Park Service.