US Bridges

Black Snake Road over Little Elk Creek

Fair

Cecil County, Maryland · 0.62 MI N of Leeds RD · Structure no. 200000CE0063010

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
57 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
545
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Black Snake Road over Little Elk Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Black Snake Road over Little Elk Creek in Cecil County, Maryland. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 545 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 740 by 2043. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesBlack Snake Road
CrossesLittle Elk Creek
Location0.62 MI N of Leeds RD
RouteCounty Highway 164
CountyCecil County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.67067, -75.86998
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating61 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span52 ft (15.9 m)
Deck width13 ft (4.1 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic545 (2023)
Projected traffic740 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$19,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Black Snake Road over Little Elk Creek built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Black Snake Road over Little Elk 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Black Snake Road over Little Elk Creek carry?

About 545 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Black Snake Road over Little Elk Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 52 ft (15.9 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Black Snake Road over Little Elk Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.