US Bridges

Merrimack Place over Ditchley Prong

FairPosted for load

Charles County, Maryland · 0.1 MI E Shiloh Church RD · Structure no. 200000CH0016010

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
55
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Merrimack Place over Ditchley Prong is a concrete tee beam carrying Merrimack Place over Ditchley Prong in Charles County, Maryland. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 55 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 67 by 2044. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesMerrimack Place
CrossesDitchley Prong
Location0.1 MI E Shiloh Church RD
RouteCounty Highway 1438
CountyCharles County
StateMaryland
Coordinates38.35189, -76.93733
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating38 US tons
Inventory rating23 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic55 (2024)
Projected traffic67 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 Merrimack Place over Ditchley Prong built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Merrimack Place over Ditchley Prong 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 2024.

How much traffic does Merrimack Place over Ditchley Prong carry?

About 55 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Merrimack Place over Ditchley Prong?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Merrimack Place over Ditchley Prong?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.