US Bridges

Gaither Road over South Branch Patapsco Ri

Fair

Carroll County, Maryland · On Howard County Line · Structure no. 200000CL0313010

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
61 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,282
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gaither Road over South Branch Patapsco Ri is a steel truss - thru carrying Gaither Road over South Branch Patapsco Ri in Carroll County, Maryland. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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 1,282 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,110 by 2041. The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGaither Road
CrossesSouth Branch Patapsco Ri
LocationOn Howard County Line
RouteCounty Highway 673
CountyCarroll County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.35978, -76.99211
Functional classUrban 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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating43 US tons
Inventory rating25.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length61 ft (18.6 m)
Longest span61 ft (18.6 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,282 (2021)
Projected traffic2,110 by 2041
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$330,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gaither Road over South Branch Patapsco Ri built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gaither Road over South Branch Patapsco Ri 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Gaither Road over South Branch Patapsco Ri carry?

About 1,282 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Gaither Road over South Branch Patapsco Ri?

The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long with a longest span of 61 ft (18.6 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Gaither Road over South Branch Patapsco Ri?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.