US Bridges

Caves Road over North Branch Jones Falls

Fair

Baltimore County, Maryland · 0.12 MI SW of Md 129 · Structure no. 200000B-0316020

Built
1910
115 years old, rebuilt 1974
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
36 ft
Daily traffic
3,208
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Caves Road over North Branch Jones Falls is a concrete culvert carrying Caves Road over North Branch Jones Falls in Baltimore County, Maryland. It was built in 1910 and reconstructed in 1974, so it is 115 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 3,208 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,767 by 2043. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCaves Road
CrossesNorth Branch Jones Falls
Location0.12 MI SW of Md 129
RouteCounty Highway 721
CountyBaltimore County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.43647, -76.73447
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating45.5 US tons
Inventory rating27.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans0
Design loadHS 20
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,208 (2023)
Projected traffic4,767 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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$1.1 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Caves Road over North Branch Jones Falls built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1974.

What condition is Caves Road over North Branch Jones 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Caves Road over North Branch Jones Falls carry?

About 3,208 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Caves Road over North Branch Jones Falls?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Caves Road over North Branch Jones Falls?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.