US Bridges

HWY General ST over Water Spicket River

Fair

Essex County, Massachusetts · At Lawrence Gen. Hosp. · Structure no. L040162PRMUNNBI

Built
1939
86 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
71 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
6,206
2019 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY General ST over Water Spicket River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying HWY General ST over Water Spicket River in Essex County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1939 and reconstructed in 1990, so it is 86 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 6,206 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,581 by 2032. The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY General ST
CrossesWater Spicket River
LocationAt Lawrence Gen. Hosp.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyEssex County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.70918, -71.15145
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating66.4 US tons
Inventory rating37 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length71 ft (21.6 m)
Longest span69 ft (21 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.2 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,206 (2019)
Projected traffic7,581 by 2032
Trucks4%
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

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY General ST over Water Spicket River built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is HWY General ST over Water Spicket 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does HWY General ST over Water Spicket River carry?

About 6,206 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is HWY General ST over Water Spicket River?

The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long with a longest span of 69 ft (21 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns HWY General ST over Water Spicket River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.