US Bridges

River Road over Seneca Creek

Fair

Montgomery County, Maryland · 0.5 MI W of Seneca Road · Structure no. 200000M-0027010

Built
1959
66 years old, rebuilt 2001
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
126 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,284
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Seneca Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying River Road over Seneca Creek in Montgomery County, Maryland. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 2001, so it is 66 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 3,284 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,011 by 2042. The structure is 126 ft (38.4 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesSeneca Creek
Location0.5 MI W of Seneca Road
RouteCounty Highway 2603
CountyMontgomery County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.07905, -77.34058
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 spans3
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length126 ft (38.4 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,284 (2022)
Projected traffic4,011 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 River Road over Seneca Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2001.

What condition is River Road over Seneca 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 River Road over Seneca Creek carry?

About 3,284 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Seneca Creek?

The structure is 126 ft (38.4 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Seneca Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.