US Bridges

South Palmer Road over Parking Garage

FairPosted for load

Montgomery County, Maryland · 1 KM W of Rt. 185 · Structure no. 1MD0071

Built
1980
45 years old, rebuilt 2014
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
665 ft
22 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2015 count
Owner
Federal
Navy / Marines

About this bridge

South Palmer Road over Parking Garage is a concrete slab carrying South Palmer Road over Parking Garage in Montgomery County, Maryland. It was built in 1980 and reconstructed in 2014, so it is 45 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 200 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 250 by 2040. The structure is 665 ft (202.8 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSouth Palmer Road
CrossesParking Garage
Location1 KM W of Rt. 185
CountyMontgomery County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.00113, -77.08566
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating27.7 US tons
Inventory rating21.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans22
Design loadH 20
Structure length665 ft (202.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2015)
Projected traffic250 by 2040
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesOther
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNavy / Marines
Maintained byNavy / Marines
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$16,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was South Palmer Road over Parking Garage built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2014.

What condition is South Palmer Road over Parking Garage 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does South Palmer Road over Parking Garage carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is South Palmer Road over Parking Garage?

The structure is 665 ft (202.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns South Palmer Road over Parking Garage?

It is owned by the Navy / Marines.