US Bridges

Sparks Road over Tributary to Carroll Bra

Fair

Baltimore County, Maryland · 0.3 MI W of Carroll RD · Structure no. 200000B-0401010

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
63 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,525
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sparks Road over Tributary to Carroll Bra is a steel truss - thru carrying Sparks Road over Tributary to Carroll Bra in Baltimore County, Maryland. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 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 2,525 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,181 by 2043. The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesSparks Road
CrossesTributary to Carroll Bra
Location0.3 MI W of Carroll RD
RouteCounty Highway 239
CountyBaltimore County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.54222, -76.61832
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.5 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length63 ft (19.2 m)
Longest span61 ft (18.6 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,525 (2023)
Projected traffic3,181 by 2043
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 Sparks Road over Tributary to Carroll Bra built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sparks Road over Tributary to Carroll Bra 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Sparks Road over Tributary to Carroll Bra carry?

About 2,525 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Sparks Road over Tributary to Carroll Bra?

The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long with a longest span of 61 ft (18.6 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Sparks Road over Tributary to Carroll Bra?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.