US Bridges

Union Church Rd. over Beaver Branch

Fair

New Castle County, Delaware · E. of Townsend · Structure no. 1448 456

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
32 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
256
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Union Church Rd. over Beaver Branch is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Union Church Rd. over Beaver Branch in New Castle County, Delaware. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 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 256 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 272 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUnion Church Rd.
CrossesBeaver Branch
LocationE. of Townsend
RouteCounty Highway 456
CountyNew Castle County
StateDelaware
Coordinates39.40246, -75.62804
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45.3 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length32 ft (9.7 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic256 (2023)
Projected traffic272 by 2042
Trucks17%
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

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 Union Church Rd. over Beaver Branch built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Union Church Rd. over Beaver 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Union Church Rd. over Beaver Branch carry?

About 256 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is Union Church Rd. over Beaver Branch?

The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Union Church Rd. over Beaver Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.