US Bridges

HWY Spldng Bk RD over Water Sawmill River

Fair

Franklin County, Massachusetts · 1M E of RT63 Nr Leverett · Structure no. M280400R9MUNNBI

Built
1937
88 years old, rebuilt 1983
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2019 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Spldng Bk RD over Water Sawmill River is a prestressed concrete slab carrying HWY Spldng Bk RD over Water Sawmill River in Franklin County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1937 and reconstructed in 1983, so it is 88 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 158 by 2032. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesHWY Spldng Bk RD
CrossesWater Sawmill River
Location1M E of RT63 Nr Leverett
RouteCity Street 0
CountyFranklin County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.51469, -72.50603
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
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 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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating72 US tons
Inventory rating43.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.1 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2019)
Projected traffic158 by 2032
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Spldng Bk RD over Water Sawmill River built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1983.

What condition is HWY Spldng Bk RD over Water Sawmill 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 Spldng Bk RD over Water Sawmill River carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is HWY Spldng Bk RD over Water Sawmill River?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.1 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Spldng Bk RD over Water Sawmill River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.