US Bridges

HWY Forge Hll RD over Water Chickley River

Fair

Franklin County, Massachusetts · @ Route 8A Intersection · Structure no. H130050HLMUNNBI

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
54 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
150
2019 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Forge Hll RD over Water Chickley River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying HWY Forge Hll RD over Water Chickley River in Franklin County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1939, 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 150 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 158 by 2032. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY Forge Hll RD
CrossesWater Chickley River
Location@ Route 8A Intersection
RouteCity Street 0
CountyFranklin County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.59508, -72.93251
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating89.7 US tons
Inventory rating53.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.5 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic150 (2019)
Projected traffic158 by 2032
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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$3.7 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Forge Hll RD over Water Chickley River built?

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

What condition is HWY Forge Hll RD over Water Chickley 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 Forge Hll RD over Water Chickley River carry?

About 150 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is HWY Forge Hll RD over Water Chickley River?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.5 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Forge Hll RD over Water Chickley River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.