US Bridges

HWY Cheney Drive over Water Charles River

FairPosted for load

Norfolk County, Massachusetts · 0.8 KM N. of Bridge ST · Structure no. D100074D8DOTNBI

Built
1897
128 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Steel
Length
64 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,810
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Cheney Drive over Water Charles River is a steel arch - deck carrying HWY Cheney Drive over Water Charles River in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1897 and reconstructed in 1990, 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 1,810 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,527 by 2032. The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY Cheney Drive
CrossesWater Charles River
Location0.8 KM N. of Bridge ST
RouteState Lands Road 0
CountyNorfolk County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.27579, -71.30957
Functional classUrban 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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating29.7 US tons
Inventory rating17.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length64 ft (19.5 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,810 (2023)
Projected traffic2,527 by 2032
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$5.6 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Cheney Drive over Water Charles River built?

It was built in 1897, making it 128 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is HWY Cheney Drive over Water Charles 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does HWY Cheney Drive over Water Charles River carry?

About 1,810 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is HWY Cheney Drive over Water Charles River?

The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Cheney Drive over Water Charles River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.