US Bridges

County RD over Big Birch Stream

Fair

Penobscot County, Maine · 6.2 MI Ely of RTE 2 · Structure no. 2070

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
227
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County RD over Big Birch Stream is a concrete slab carrying County RD over Big Birch Stream in Penobscot County, Maine. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 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 227 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 363 by 2036. The structure is 29 ft (8.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty RD
CrossesBig Birch Stream
Location6.2 MI Ely of RTE 2
RouteCity Street 0
CountyPenobscot County
StateMaine
Coordinates44.97108, -68.53518
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating75.4 US tons
Inventory rating58.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length29 ft (8.9 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic227 (2016)
Projected traffic363 by 2036
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County RD over Big Birch Stream built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is County RD over Big Birch Stream 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does County RD over Big Birch Stream carry?

About 227 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County RD over Big Birch Stream?

The structure is 29 ft (8.9 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County RD over Big Birch Stream?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.