US Bridges

HWY Aiken ST over Water Northern Canal

Fair

Middlesex County, Massachusetts · .24 KM SW of Merrimack Rv · Structure no. L150272C4MUNNBI

Built
1897
128 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
116 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
11,800
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Aiken ST over Water Northern Canal is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying HWY Aiken ST over Water Northern Canal in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1897 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 128 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 11,800 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 29,375 by 2031. The structure is 116 ft (35.5 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesHWY Aiken ST
CrossesWater Northern Canal
Location.24 KM SW of Merrimack Rv
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMiddlesex County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.65049, -71.31914
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating65.4 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length116 ft (35.5 m)
Longest span105 ft (32 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.2 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,800 (2024)
Projected traffic29,375 by 2031
Trucks9%
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$2.9 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Aiken ST over Water Northern Canal built?

It was built in 1897, making it 128 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is HWY Aiken ST over Water Northern Canal 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does HWY Aiken ST over Water Northern Canal carry?

About 11,800 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is HWY Aiken ST over Water Northern Canal?

The structure is 116 ft (35.5 m) long with a longest span of 105 ft (32 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Aiken ST over Water Northern Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.