US Bridges

River Street over Saco River

Fair

Carroll County, New Hampshire · 0.05 MI FR Cobb RD · Structure no. 001701090011300

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
132 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
473
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Street over Saco River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying River Street over Saco River in Carroll County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 473 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 700 by 2043. The structure is 132 ft (40.2 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesRiver Street
CrossesSaco River
Location0.05 MI FR Cobb RD
Coordinates44.08375, -71.28536
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.6 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length132 ft (40.2 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic473 (2023)
Projected traffic700 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 River Street over Saco River built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is River Street over Saco 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does River Street over Saco River carry?

About 473 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is River Street over Saco River?

The structure is 132 ft (40.2 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns River Street over Saco River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.