US Bridges

Bw Parkway over Big Patuxent River

Fair

Anne Arundel County, Maryland · 0.8 Miles North of Md Rou · Structure no. 3530001P0000000

Built
1953
72 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
362 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
105,000
2022 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Bw Parkway over Big Patuxent River is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Bw Parkway over Big Patuxent River in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 72 years old, older than the Maryland average of 52.6 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 105,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 130,000 by 2042. The structure is 362 ft (110.3 m) long and 98 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesBw Parkway
CrossesBig Patuxent River
Location0.8 Miles North of Md Rou
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
Coordinates39.07067, -76.83019
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Other Freeway or Expressway

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating34.9 US tons
Inventory rating20.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length362 ft (110.3 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.8 m)
Deck width98 ft (30 m)
Roadway width93 ft (28.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic105,000 (2022)
Projected traffic130,000 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$371,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bw Parkway over Big Patuxent River built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is Bw Parkway over Big Patuxent 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Bw Parkway over Big Patuxent River carry?

About 105,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Bw Parkway over Big Patuxent River?

The structure is 362 ft (110.3 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.8 m) and a deck 98 ft wide.

Who owns Bw Parkway over Big Patuxent River?

It is owned by the National Park Service.