US Bridges

Barley Mill Rd. over Red Clay Creek

Fair

New Castle County, Delaware · Ashland · Structure no. 1118 258

Built
1850
175 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,398
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Barley Mill Rd. over Red Clay Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Barley Mill Rd. over Red Clay Creek in New Castle County, Delaware. It was built in 1850 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 175 years old, older than the Delaware average of 47.3 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 3,398 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,047 by 2042. The structure is 52 ft (15.9 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesBarley Mill Rd.
CrossesRed Clay Creek
LocationAshland
RouteCounty Highway 258
CountyNew Castle County
StateDelaware
Coordinates39.79824, -75.65786
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating38.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length52 ft (15.9 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.5 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck12 ft (3.6 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,398 (2023)
Projected traffic3,047 by 2042
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$113,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Barley Mill Rd. over Red Clay Creek built?

It was built in 1850, making it 175 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is Barley Mill Rd. over Red Clay 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Barley Mill Rd. over Red Clay Creek carry?

About 3,398 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is Barley Mill Rd. over Red Clay Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.9 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Barley Mill Rd. over Red Clay Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.