US Bridges

HWY Charlton ST over Water French River

Fair

Worcester County, Massachusetts · .15 MI NW of Dudley RD · Structure no. O060091D4MUNNBI

Built
1880
145 years old, rebuilt 1949
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15,646
2023 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Charlton ST over Water French River is a masonry arch - deck carrying HWY Charlton ST over Water French River in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It was built in 1880 and reconstructed in 1949, so it is 145 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 15,646 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,003 by 2032. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY Charlton ST
CrossesWater French River
Location.15 MI NW of Dudley RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountyWorcester County
StateMassachusetts
Coordinates42.11419, -71.88152
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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating80 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,646 (2023)
Projected traffic15,003 by 2032
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$1.2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Charlton ST over Water French River built?

It was built in 1880, making it 145 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1949.

What condition is HWY Charlton ST over Water French 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does HWY Charlton ST over Water French River carry?

About 15,646 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is HWY Charlton ST over Water French River?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Charlton ST over Water French River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.