US Bridges

Little Houston Bro over Houston Brook

Fair

Somerset County, Maine · 0.3 MI S JCT Rowe Pond RD · Structure no. 6056

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2016 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Little Houston Bro over Houston Brook is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Little Houston Bro over Houston Brook in Somerset County, Maine. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 years old, younger 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.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 64 by 2036. The structure is 37 ft (11.2 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLittle Houston Bro
CrossesHouston Brook
Location0.3 MI S JCT Rowe Pond RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountySomerset County
StateMaine
Coordinates45.0552, -69.96013
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 rating53.9 US tons
Inventory rating41.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length37 ft (11.2 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2016)
Projected traffic64 by 2036
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township 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 Little Houston Bro over Houston Brook built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is Little Houston Bro over Houston Brook 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Little Houston Bro over Houston Brook carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Little Houston Bro over Houston Brook?

The structure is 37 ft (11.2 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Little Houston Bro over Houston Brook?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.