US Bridges

Griffith Road over Hawlings River

FairPosted for load

Montgomery County, Maryland · 1 Mile West of Md 650 · Structure no. 200000M-0120010

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
282
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Griffith Road over Hawlings River is a concrete arch - deck carrying Griffith Road over Hawlings River in Montgomery County, Maryland. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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 282 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 380 by 2043. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesGriffith Road
CrossesHawlings River
Location1 Mile West of Md 650
RouteCounty Highway 56
CountyMontgomery County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.22861, -77.10867
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
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating22 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic282 (2023)
Projected traffic380 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$185,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Griffith Road over Hawlings River built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Griffith Road over Hawlings River 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 Griffith Road over Hawlings River carry?

About 282 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Griffith Road over Hawlings River?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Griffith Road over Hawlings River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.