US Bridges

Heaps Road over Broad Creek

Fair

Harford County, Maryland · 0.5 Miles NE of Md 543 · Structure no. 200000H-0148010

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
105 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
529
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Heaps Road over Broad Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Heaps Road over Broad Creek in Harford County, Maryland. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 529 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 646 by 2041. The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesHeaps Road
CrossesBroad Creek
Location0.5 Miles NE of Md 543
RouteCounty Highway 121
CountyHarford County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.6769, -76.34848
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating74 US tons
Inventory rating44.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length105 ft (32 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic529 (2021)
Projected traffic646 by 2041
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Heaps Road over Broad Creek built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Heaps Road over Broad Creek 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 2023.

How much traffic does Heaps Road over Broad Creek carry?

About 529 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Heaps Road over Broad Creek?

The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Heaps Road over Broad Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.