US Bridges

Somerville RD over Sheepscot River

FairPosted for load

Lincoln County, Maine · 0.1 MI S of Route 105 · Structure no. 5473

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
228
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Somerville RD over Sheepscot River is a concrete tee beam carrying Somerville RD over Sheepscot River in Lincoln County, Maine. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 years old, older than the Maine average of 53.7 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 228 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 365 by 2036. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesSomerville RD
CrossesSheepscot River
Location0.1 MI S of Route 105
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLincoln County
StateMaine
Coordinates44.30847, -69.48869
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating16.1 US tons
Inventory rating12.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic228 (2016)
Projected traffic365 by 2036
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 Somerville RD over Sheepscot River built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is Somerville RD over Sheepscot 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Somerville RD over Sheepscot River carry?

About 228 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Somerville RD over Sheepscot River?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Somerville RD over Sheepscot River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.