US Bridges

HWY Elm ST over Water Charles River

Fair

Norfolk County, Massachusetts · .3 MI S of Village RD · Structure no. F080092AAMUNNBI

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,000
2024 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Elm ST over Water Charles River is a masonry arch - deck carrying HWY Elm ST over Water Charles River in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 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 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,053 by 2031. The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesHWY Elm ST
CrossesWater Charles River
Location.3 MI S of Village RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountyNorfolk County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.13652, -71.41851
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
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating58.5 US tons
Inventory rating45.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2024)
Projected traffic2,053 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$815,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Elm ST over Water Charles River built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is HWY Elm ST 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does HWY Elm ST over Water Charles River carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is HWY Elm ST over Water Charles River?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Elm ST over Water Charles River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.