US Bridges

Grears Corner Rd. over Barlow Branch

Fair

New Castle County, Delaware · West of Blackbird · Structure no. 1427 459

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
20 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,266
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Grears Corner Rd. over Barlow Branch is a concrete culvert carrying Grears Corner Rd. over Barlow Branch in New Castle County, Delaware. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 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 2,266 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,630 by 2042. The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGrears Corner Rd.
CrossesBarlow Branch
LocationWest of Blackbird
RouteCounty Highway 459
CountyNew Castle County
StateDelaware
Coordinates39.36613, -75.69506
Functional classRural 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length20 ft (6.1 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,266 (2022)
Projected traffic1,630 by 2042
Trucks17%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Grears Corner Rd. over Barlow Branch built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is Grears Corner Rd. over Barlow Branch 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 2023.

How much traffic does Grears Corner Rd. over Barlow Branch carry?

About 2,266 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is Grears Corner Rd. over Barlow Branch?

The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Grears Corner Rd. over Barlow Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.