US Bridges

West Chapel Road over Swan Creek

Good

Harford County, Maryland · 0.6 Miles S of Md 156 · Structure no. 200000H-0017010

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 1953
Condition
Good
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
365
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

West Chapel Road over Swan Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying West Chapel Road over Swan Creek in Harford County, Maryland. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 1953, 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 365 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2039. The structure is 34 ft (10.5 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWest Chapel Road
CrossesSwan Creek
Location0.6 Miles S of Md 156
RouteCounty Highway 415
CountyHarford County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.55937, -76.18042
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating99.6 US tons
Inventory rating76.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length34 ft (10.5 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic365 (2019)
Projected traffic450 by 2039
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 statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was West Chapel Road over Swan Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1953.

What condition is West Chapel Road over Swan Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in November 2023.

How much traffic does West Chapel Road over Swan Creek carry?

About 365 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is West Chapel Road over Swan Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.5 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns West Chapel Road over Swan Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.