US Bridges

Maple Dam Road over Blackwater River

Fair

Dorchester County, Maryland · 13.34 Miles S. of Md. 16 · Structure no. 200000D-0012010

Built
1997
28 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
234 ft
9 main spans
Daily traffic
645
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Maple Dam Road over Blackwater River is a wood or timber slab carrying Maple Dam Road over Blackwater River in Dorchester County, Maryland. It was built in 1997, so it is 28 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 645 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 868 by 2043. The structure is 234 ft (71.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.8 mi (27 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMaple Dam Road
CrossesBlackwater River
Location13.34 Miles S. of Md. 16
RouteCounty Highway 139
CountyDorchester County
StateMaryland
Coordinates38.38239, -76.06751
Functional classRural Minor 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
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.5 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans9
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length234 ft (71.3 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic645 (2023)
Projected traffic868 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.8 mi (27 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 Maple Dam Road over Blackwater River built?

It was built in 1997, making it 28 years old in 2025.

What condition is Maple Dam Road over Blackwater River 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Maple Dam Road over Blackwater River carry?

About 645 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Maple Dam Road over Blackwater River?

The structure is 234 ft (71.3 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Maple Dam Road over Blackwater River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.