US Bridges

Prettyboy Dam Road over Prettyboy Reservoir

Fair

Baltimore County, Maryland · 2.6 MI N Mount Carmel RD · Structure no. 200000BC6520010

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
693 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
775
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Prettyboy Dam Road over Prettyboy Reservoir is a concrete arch - deck carrying Prettyboy Dam Road over Prettyboy Reservoir in Baltimore County, Maryland. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 93 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 775 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,100 by 2042. The structure is 693 ft (211.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

No coordinates are recorded for this structure.

CarriesPrettyboy Dam Road
CrossesPrettyboy Reservoir
Location2.6 MI N Mount Carmel RD
RouteCity Street 4620
CountyBaltimore County
StateMaryland
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4 (+29 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length693 ft (211.2 m)
Longest span76 ft (23.2 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic775 (2022)
Projected traffic1,100 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$46,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Prettyboy Dam Road over Prettyboy Reservoir built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is Prettyboy Dam Road over Prettyboy Reservoir 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Prettyboy Dam Road over Prettyboy Reservoir carry?

About 775 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Prettyboy Dam Road over Prettyboy Reservoir?

The structure is 693 ft (211.2 m) long with a longest span of 76 ft (23.2 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Prettyboy Dam Road over Prettyboy Reservoir?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.