US Bridges

Lake Potomac Drive over Watts Branch

Fair

Montgomery County, Maryland · 0.1 Miles North of Md 190 · Structure no. 200000M-0208010

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
184 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
139
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lake Potomac Drive over Watts Branch is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Lake Potomac Drive over Watts Branch in Montgomery County, Maryland. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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.

It carries about 139 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 180 by 2041. The structure is 184 ft (56.1 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLake Potomac Drive
CrossesWatts Branch
Location0.1 Miles North of Md 190
RouteCounty Highway 5961
CountyMontgomery County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.0428, -77.25291
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating67 US tons
Inventory rating40.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length184 ft (56.1 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic139 (2021)
Projected traffic180 by 2041
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 Lake Potomac Drive over Watts Branch built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lake Potomac Drive over Watts 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Lake Potomac Drive over Watts Branch carry?

About 139 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Lake Potomac Drive over Watts Branch?

The structure is 184 ft (56.1 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Lake Potomac Drive over Watts Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.