US Bridges

HWY Main ST over Water Powwow River

Fair

Essex County, Massachusetts · 0.1MI N Merrimac River · Structure no. A070092YADOTNBI

Built
1890
135 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
102 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
8,336
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Main ST over Water Powwow River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying HWY Main ST over Water Powwow River in Essex County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1890 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 135 years old, older than the Massachusetts average of 63.8 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 8,336 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,106 by 2032. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY Main ST
CrossesWater Powwow River
Location0.1MI N Merrimac River
RouteState Highway 0
CountyEssex County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.84141, -70.92509
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating100.4 US tons
Inventory rating66 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck11 ft (3.3 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,336 (2019)
Projected traffic4,106 by 2032
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$7 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Main ST over Water Powwow River built?

It was built in 1890, making it 135 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is HWY Main ST over Water Powwow River 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does HWY Main ST over Water Powwow River carry?

About 8,336 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is HWY Main ST over Water Powwow River?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Main ST over Water Powwow River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.