US Bridges

Old Furnace Rd. over Gravelly Fork

Fair

Sussex County, Delaware · N.E. of Seaford · Structure no. 3238 046

Built
1999
26 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2022
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
20 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,937
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old Furnace Rd. over Gravelly Fork is a concrete culvert carrying Old Furnace Rd. over Gravelly Fork in Sussex County, Delaware. It was built in 1999, so it is 26 years old, younger 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 4,937 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,473 by 2042. The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long and 46 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld Furnace Rd.
CrossesGravelly Fork
LocationN.E. of Seaford
RouteCounty Highway 46
CountySussex County
StateDelaware
Coordinates38.66478, -75.56351
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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating56.1 US tons
Inventory rating43.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length20 ft (6.1 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width46 ft (14.1 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,937 (2021)
Projected traffic6,473 by 2042
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old Furnace Rd. over Gravelly Fork built?

It was built in 1999, making it 26 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old Furnace Rd. over Gravelly Fork 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 September 2022.

How much traffic does Old Furnace Rd. over Gravelly Fork carry?

About 4,937 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Old Furnace Rd. over Gravelly Fork?

The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 46 ft wide.

Who owns Old Furnace Rd. over Gravelly Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.