US Bridges

River Park Road over C&o Canal

FairPosted for load

Washington County, Maryland · Route 68 to Salisbury Str · Structure no. 3100009P0000000

Built
1879
146 years old, rebuilt 2006
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
107 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2007 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

River Park Road over C&o Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying River Park Road over C&o Canal in Washington County, Maryland. It was built in 1879 and reconstructed in 2006, so it is 146 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 220 by 2027. The structure is 107 ft (32.7 m) long and 11 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesRiver Park Road
CrossesC&o Canal
LocationRoute 68 to Salisbury Str
RouteFederal Lands Road 42000
CountyWashington County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.59911, -77.82619
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating75.9 US tons
Inventory rating57 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 10
Structure length107 ft (32.7 m)
Longest span67 ft (20.4 m)
Deck width11 ft (3.4 m)
Roadway width10 ft (2.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2007)
Projected traffic220 by 2027
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$38,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was River Park Road over C&o Canal built?

It was built in 1879, making it 146 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2006.

What condition is River Park Road over C&o Canal 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 River Park Road over C&o Canal carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is River Park Road over C&o Canal?

The structure is 107 ft (32.7 m) long with a longest span of 67 ft (20.4 m) and a deck 11 ft wide.

Who owns River Park Road over C&o Canal?

It is owned by the National Park Service.