US Bridges

Schalk Road No. 1 over Gunpowder Falls

Fair

Carroll County, Maryland · 0.03 MI E of Kern RD · Structure no. 200000CL0404010

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
82 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
699
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Schalk Road No. 1 over Gunpowder Falls is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Schalk Road No. 1 over Gunpowder Falls in Carroll County, Maryland. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 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 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 699 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,146 by 2041. The structure is 82 ft (25 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

No coordinates are recorded for this structure.

CarriesSchalk Road No. 1
CrossesGunpowder Falls
Location0.03 MI E of Kern RD
RouteCounty Highway 188
CountyCarroll County
StateMaryland
Functional classRural 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating66.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length82 ft (25 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.8 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic699 (2021)
Projected traffic1,146 by 2041
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Schalk Road No. 1 over Gunpowder Falls built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is Schalk Road No. 1 over Gunpowder 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Schalk Road No. 1 over Gunpowder Falls carry?

About 699 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Schalk Road No. 1 over Gunpowder Falls?

The structure is 82 ft (25 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.8 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns Schalk Road No. 1 over Gunpowder Falls?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.