US Bridges

East Side Road over Saco River

FairPosted for load

Carroll County, New Hampshire · 1.7MI N Albany Tl · Structure no. 005401670006700

Built
1890
135 years old, rebuilt 1989
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Wood or Timber
Length
227 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,490
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

East Side Road over Saco River is a wood or timber truss - thru carrying East Side Road over Saco River in Carroll County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1890 and reconstructed in 1989, so it is 135 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 5 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 2,490 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,685 by 2043. The structure is 227 ft (69.2 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesEast Side Road
CrossesSaco River
Location1.7MI N Albany Tl
CountyCarroll County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.98308, -71.117
Functional classUrban 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.
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating10.7 US tons
Inventory rating6.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length227 ft (69.2 m)
Longest span96 ft (29.3 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.7 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deck10 ft (3.2 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,490 (2023)
Projected traffic3,685 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
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 East Side Road over Saco River built?

It was built in 1890, making it 135 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1989.

What condition is East Side Road 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does East Side Road over Saco River carry?

About 2,490 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is East Side Road over Saco River?

The structure is 227 ft (69.2 m) long with a longest span of 96 ft (29.3 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns East Side Road over Saco River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.