US Bridges

Bestpitch Ferry RD over Transquaking River

PoorPosted for load

Dorchester County, Maryland · 0.1 MI W of Grif Neck RD · Structure no. 200000D-0024010

Built
1946
79 years old, rebuilt 2020
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
192 ft
11 main spans
Daily traffic
93
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bestpitch Ferry RD over Transquaking River is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bestpitch Ferry RD over Transquaking River in Dorchester County, Maryland. It was built in 1946 and reconstructed in 2020, so it is 79 years old, older than the Maryland average of 52.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 93 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 122 by 2043. The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesBestpitch Ferry RD
CrossesTransquaking River
Location0.1 MI W of Grif Neck RD
RouteCounty Highway 403
CountyDorchester County
StateMaryland
Coordinates38.41747, -75.99342
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating26 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans11
Design loadH 15
Structure length192 ft (58.5 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.7 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic93 (2023)
Projected traffic122 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$474,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bestpitch Ferry RD over Transquaking River built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2020.

What condition is Bestpitch Ferry RD over Transquaking River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in November 2023.

How much traffic does Bestpitch Ferry RD over Transquaking River carry?

About 93 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Bestpitch Ferry RD over Transquaking River?

The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Bestpitch Ferry RD over Transquaking River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.