US Bridges

Blue Ball RD over Little Northeast Creek

Fair

Cecil County, Maryland · 0.01 MI N of Wheatley RD · Structure no. 200000CE0021010

Built
2007
18 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
68 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,291
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blue Ball RD over Little Northeast Creek is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Blue Ball RD over Little Northeast Creek in Cecil County, Maryland. It was built in 2007, so it is 18 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 3,291 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,440 by 2043. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Ball RD
CrossesLittle Northeast Creek
Location0.01 MI N of Wheatley RD
RouteCounty Highway 545
CountyCecil County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.68486, -75.92205
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating73.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span62 ft (18.9 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,291 (2023)
Projected traffic4,440 by 2043
Trucks5%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ball RD over Little Northeast Creek built?

It was built in 2007, making it 18 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ball RD over Little Northeast Creek 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Blue Ball RD over Little Northeast Creek carry?

About 3,291 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Blue Ball RD over Little Northeast Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 62 ft (18.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ball RD over Little Northeast Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.