US Bridges

Watersville Road over Hay Meadow Branch

Fair

Howard County, Maryland · 1 MI N Old Frederick RD · Structure no. 200000HO0043010

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
539
2000 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Watersville Road over Hay Meadow Branch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Watersville Road over Hay Meadow Branch in Howard County, Maryland. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 90 years old, older 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 539 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 600 by 2015. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWatersville Road
CrossesHay Meadow Branch
Location1 MI N Old Frederick RD
RouteCounty Highway 7
CountyHoward County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.35964, -77.09707
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.
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 inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating58.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic539 (2000)
Projected traffic600 by 2015
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 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 Watersville Road over Hay Meadow Branch built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is Watersville Road over Hay Meadow 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Watersville Road over Hay Meadow Branch carry?

About 539 vehicles per day (2000 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Watersville Road over Hay Meadow Branch?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Watersville Road over Hay Meadow Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.