US Bridges

Saw Mill Road over Big Pipe Creek

Good

Carroll County, Maryland · 0.5 MI East of Md 97 · Structure no. 200000CL0284010

Built
1974
51 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Good
inspected June 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
73 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
54
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Saw Mill Road over Big Pipe Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Saw Mill Road over Big Pipe Creek in Carroll County, Maryland. It was built in 1974 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 51 years old, younger than the Maryland average of 52.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 54 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 90 by 2041. The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesSaw Mill Road
CrossesBig Pipe Creek
Location0.5 MI East of Md 97
RouteCounty Highway 774
CountyCarroll County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.66167, -77.00833
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length73 ft (22.3 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width13 ft (4 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic54 (2021)
Projected traffic90 by 2041
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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$550,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Saw Mill Road over Big Pipe Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is Saw Mill Road over Big Pipe Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Saw Mill Road over Big Pipe Creek carry?

About 54 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Saw Mill Road over Big Pipe Creek?

The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Saw Mill Road over Big Pipe Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.