US Bridges

Sodom Road over Melvin River

Fair

Carroll County, New Hampshire · 1.5 Mi. Rte. 109A · Structure no. 025901340008900

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
534
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sodom Road over Melvin River is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Sodom Road over Melvin River in Carroll County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 years old, younger 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 534 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 790 by 2043. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSodom Road
CrossesMelvin River
Location1.5 Mi. Rte. 109A
CountyCarroll County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.69542, -71.28437
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 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 rating36.9 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic534 (2023)
Projected traffic790 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 Sodom Road over Melvin River built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sodom Road over Melvin 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 2023.

How much traffic does Sodom Road over Melvin River carry?

About 534 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Sodom Road over Melvin River?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Sodom Road over Melvin River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.