US Bridges

Mcfarland Road over Bear Creek

Fair

Washington County, Maryland · 0.08 MI E of All-Wash CO · Structure no. 200000W-0022010

Built
1916
109 years old, rebuilt 1995
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
183
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mcfarland Road over Bear Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Mcfarland Road over Bear Creek in Washington County, Maryland. It was built in 1916 and reconstructed in 1995, so it is 109 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 183 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 304 by 2043. The structure is 24 ft (7.2 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMcfarland Road
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.08 MI E of All-Wash CO
RouteCounty Highway 2
CountyWashington County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.70039, -78.31637
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
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating67.5 US tons
Inventory rating47 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length24 ft (7.2 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic183 (2023)
Projected traffic304 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mcfarland Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1916, making it 109 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1995.

What condition is Mcfarland Road over Bear 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Mcfarland Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 183 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Mcfarland Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.2 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Mcfarland Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.