US Bridges

Bear Notch Road over Swift River

Fair

Carroll County, New Hampshire · .35 MI North JCT 112 · Structure no. 000200800014800

Built
1961
64 years old, rebuilt 2015
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
73 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
985
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bear Notch Road over Swift River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bear Notch Road over Swift River in Carroll County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1961 and reconstructed in 2015, so it is 64 years old, older than the New Hampshire average of 56.9 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 985 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,457 by 2043. The structure is 73 ft (22.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 60.3 mi (97 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBear Notch Road
CrossesSwift River
Location.35 MI North JCT 112
RouteState Highway 0
CountyCarroll County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.99685, -71.32602
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59.4 US tons
Inventory rating45.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length73 ft (22.2 m)
Longest span69 ft (21.1 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic985 (2023)
Projected traffic1,457 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed60.3 mi (97 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$314,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bear Notch Road over Swift River built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2015.

What condition is Bear Notch Road over Swift 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Bear Notch Road over Swift River carry?

About 985 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Bear Notch Road over Swift River?

The structure is 73 ft (22.2 m) long with a longest span of 69 ft (21.1 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Bear Notch Road over Swift River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.