US Bridges

County Road over Melvin River

Good

Carroll County, New Hampshire · 0.5 MI from Nh RTE 109 · Structure no. 025901380006600

Built
1936
89 years old, rebuilt 2005
Condition
Good
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
41 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
98
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road over Melvin River is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road over Melvin River in Carroll County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1936 and reconstructed in 2005, so it is 89 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 98 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 145 by 2043. The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road
CrossesMelvin River
Location0.5 MI from Nh RTE 109
CountyCarroll County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.69343, -71.30674
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.1 US tons
Inventory rating33.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length41 ft (12.5 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.2 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic98 (2023)
Projected traffic145 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 County Road over Melvin River built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2005.

What condition is County Road over Melvin River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does County Road over Melvin River carry?

About 98 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is County Road over Melvin River?

The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns County Road over Melvin River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.