US Bridges

Old Telegraph Road over Back Creek

Fair

Cecil County, Maryland · 0.6 MI S of Md 286 · Structure no. 200000CE0037020

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
25 ft
Daily traffic
525
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old Telegraph Road over Back Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Old Telegraph Road over Back Creek in Cecil County, Maryland. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 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 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 525 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 990 by 2043. The structure is 25 ft (7.5 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld Telegraph Road
CrossesBack Creek
Location0.6 MI S of Md 286
RouteCounty Highway 317
CountyCecil County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.5135, -75.78128
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
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating68 US tons
Inventory rating40.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans0
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.5 m)
Longest span5 ft (1.5 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic525 (2023)
Projected traffic990 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$10,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old Telegraph Road over Back Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old Telegraph Road over Back 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Old Telegraph Road over Back Creek carry?

About 525 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Old Telegraph Road over Back Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.5 m) long with a longest span of 5 ft (1.5 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Old Telegraph Road over Back Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.