US Bridges

Mill Road over Rice Brook

FairPosted for load

Cheshire County, New Hampshire · 0.2 Mi. RTE.32 · Structure no. 022001180011700

Built
1983
42 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
60
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mill Road over Rice Brook is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Mill Road over Rice Brook in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1983, so it is 42 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 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 60 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 88 by 2043. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesMill Road
CrossesRice Brook
Location0.2 Mi. RTE.32
Coordinates42.78062, -72.26712
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating8 US tons
Inventory rating6 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2023)
Projected traffic88 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Mill Road over Rice Brook built?

It was built in 1983, making it 42 years old in 2025.

What condition is Mill Road over Rice Brook 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 Mill Road over Rice Brook carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Mill Road over Rice Brook?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Mill Road over Rice Brook?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.