US Bridges

HWY Beldingville over Water Bear River

Fair

Franklin County, Massachusetts · 0.6MI East of Murray Road · Structure no. A130270FPMUNNBI

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
129
2019 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Beldingville over Water Bear River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying HWY Beldingville over Water Bear River in Franklin County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 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 129 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 158 by 2032. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesHWY Beldingville
CrossesWater Bear River
Location0.6MI East of Murray Road
RouteCity Street 0
Coordinates42.53647, -72.7564
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating84.9 US tons
Inventory rating50.8 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic129 (2019)
Projected traffic158 by 2032
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Beldingville over Water Bear River built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is HWY Beldingville over Water Bear 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 Beldingville over Water Bear River carry?

About 129 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is HWY Beldingville over Water Bear River?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Beldingville over Water Bear River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.