US Bridges

Fairland Road over Paint Branch

FairPosted for load

Montgomery County, Maryland · 1.5 Miles West of US 29 · Structure no. 200000M-0091010

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
124 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
12,190
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fairland Road over Paint Branch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fairland Road over Paint Branch in Montgomery County, Maryland. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 12,190 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 13,820 by 2045. The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFairland Road
CrossesPaint Branch
Location1.5 Miles West of US 29
RouteCounty Highway 98
CountyMontgomery County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.07752, -76.9765
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating76.9 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length124 ft (37.8 m)
Longest span58 ft (17.7 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.7 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,190 (2023)
Projected traffic13,820 by 2045
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$30,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fairland Road over Paint Branch built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fairland Road over Paint 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Fairland Road over Paint Branch carry?

About 12,190 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Fairland Road over Paint Branch?

The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long with a longest span of 58 ft (17.7 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Fairland Road over Paint Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.