US Bridges

Kensington Parkway over Rock Creek

Fair

Montgomery County, Maryland · 0.2 MI S of Beach Drive · Structure no. 200000M-0073010

Built
1910
115 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Arch - Deck
Steel
Length
103 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
3,813
2025 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Kensington Parkway over Rock Creek is a steel arch - deck carrying Kensington Parkway over Rock Creek in Montgomery County, Maryland. It was built in 1910, so it is 115 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 3,813 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,498 by 2045. The structure is 103 ft (31.5 m) long and 52 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesKensington Parkway
CrossesRock Creek
Location0.2 MI S of Beach Drive
RouteCounty Highway 538
CountyMontgomery County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.00826, -77.07376
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
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 inspectionJanuary 2025
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.4 US tons
Inventory rating37.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length103 ft (31.5 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width52 ft (15.7 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,813 (2025)
Projected traffic4,498 by 2045
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$123,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Kensington Parkway over Rock Creek built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025.

What condition is Kensington Parkway over Rock 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Kensington Parkway over Rock Creek carry?

About 3,813 vehicles per day (2025 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Kensington Parkway over Rock Creek?

The structure is 103 ft (31.5 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 52 ft wide.

Who owns Kensington Parkway over Rock Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.