US Bridges

Hess Road over Little Gunpowder Falls

Good

Baltimore County, Maryland · 1.8 MI E Old York Road · Structure no. 200000B-0010010

Built
1978
47 years old, rebuilt 2015
Condition
Good
inspected November 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
70 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,699
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Hess Road over Little Gunpowder Falls is a steel truss - thru carrying Hess Road over Little Gunpowder Falls in Baltimore County, Maryland. It was built in 1978 and reconstructed in 2015, so it is 47 years old, younger than the Maryland average of 52.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 2,699 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,235 by 2043. The structure is 70 ft (21.2 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesHess Road
CrossesLittle Gunpowder Falls
Location1.8 MI E Old York Road
RouteCounty Highway 257
CountyBaltimore County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.55782, -76.53206
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating37.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length70 ft (21.2 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,699 (2023)
Projected traffic3,235 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$410,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Hess Road over Little Gunpowder Falls built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2015.

What condition is Hess Road over Little Gunpowder Falls in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in November 2023.

How much traffic does Hess Road over Little Gunpowder Falls carry?

About 2,699 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Hess Road over Little Gunpowder Falls?

The structure is 70 ft (21.2 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Hess Road over Little Gunpowder Falls?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.