US Bridges

Falls Road over Gunpowder Falls

Fair

Baltimore County, Maryland · 1.1 MI S Middletown RD · Structure no. 200000B-0046010

Built
1884
141 years old, rebuilt 1994
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
92 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
2013 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Falls Road over Gunpowder Falls is a steel truss - thru carrying Falls Road over Gunpowder Falls in Baltimore County, Maryland. It was built in 1884 and reconstructed in 1994, so it is 141 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 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 700 by 2035. The structure is 92 ft (28 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFalls Road
CrossesGunpowder Falls
Location1.1 MI S Middletown RD
RouteCounty Highway 127
CountyBaltimore County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.61915, -76.69037
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating87.5 US tons
Inventory rating52.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length92 ft (28 m)
Longest span88 ft (26.8 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.2 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deck14 ft (4.3 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2013)
Projected traffic700 by 2035
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 Falls Road over Gunpowder Falls built?

It was built in 1884, making it 141 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1994.

What condition is Falls 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 Falls Road over Gunpowder Falls carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Falls Road over Gunpowder Falls?

The structure is 92 ft (28 m) long with a longest span of 88 ft (26.8 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Falls Road over Gunpowder Falls?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.