US Bridges

West Heaps Road over Big Branch

Fair

Harford County, Maryland · 0.5 Miles N of Md 136 · Structure no. 200000H-0129010

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
37
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

West Heaps Road over Big Branch is a wood or timber slab carrying West Heaps Road over Big Branch in Harford County, Maryland. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 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 5 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 37 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 45 by 2041. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWest Heaps Road
CrossesBig Branch
Location0.5 Miles N of Md 136
RouteCounty Highway 416
CountyHarford County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.70486, -76.48181
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 inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating75 US tons
Inventory rating53 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic37 (2021)
Projected traffic45 by 2041
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 West Heaps Road over Big Branch built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is West Heaps Road over Big Branch 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does West Heaps Road over Big Branch carry?

About 37 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is West Heaps Road over Big Branch?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns West Heaps Road over Big Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.