US Bridges

HWY Middle RD over Water Mill Brook

Fair

Franklin County, Massachusetts · E of RT8A 1.3M S of Chmnt · Structure no. H130080HTMUNNBI

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
45 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
240
2019 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Middle RD over Water Mill Brook is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying HWY Middle RD over Water Mill Brook 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 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 240 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 158 by 2032. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY Middle RD
CrossesWater Mill Brook
LocationE of RT8A 1.3M S of Chmnt
RouteCity Street 0
CountyFranklin County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.60498, -72.91201
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.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating63.2 US tons
Inventory rating38.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic240 (2019)
Projected traffic158 by 2032
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$997,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Middle RD over Water Mill Brook built?

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

What condition is HWY Middle RD over Water Mill Brook 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 Middle RD over Water Mill Brook carry?

About 240 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is HWY Middle RD over Water Mill Brook?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Middle RD over Water Mill Brook?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.