US Bridges

Blue Mount Road over Gunpowder Falls

Fair

Baltimore County, Maryland · 1.3 MI E of Monkton RD · Structure no. 200000B-0020010

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
83 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
360
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blue Mount Road over Gunpowder Falls is a steel truss - thru carrying Blue Mount Road over Gunpowder Falls in Baltimore County, Maryland. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 years old, younger 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 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 360 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,020 by 2037. The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Mount Road
CrossesGunpowder Falls
Location1.3 MI E of Monkton RD
RouteCounty Highway 140
CountyBaltimore County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.59938, -76.62652
Functional classRural 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to 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 rating46 US tons
Inventory rating27.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length83 ft (25.3 m)
Longest span81 ft (24.7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic360 (2017)
Projected traffic1,020 by 2037
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Mount Road over Gunpowder Falls built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Mount Road over Gunpowder Falls 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 2023.

How much traffic does Blue Mount Road over Gunpowder Falls carry?

About 360 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Blue Mount Road over Gunpowder Falls?

The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long with a longest span of 81 ft (24.7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Mount Road over Gunpowder Falls?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.