US Bridges

Smith River Road over Smith River

Fair

Grafton County, New Hampshire · 0.7 MI from Danbury T.L. · Structure no. 000302070004200

Built
1937
88 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
108 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
130
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Smith River Road over Smith River is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Smith River Road over Smith River in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1937 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 88 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.

It carries about 130 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 192 by 2043. The structure is 108 ft (32.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSmith River Road
CrossesSmith River
Location0.7 MI from Danbury T.L.
RouteState Highway 0
CountyGrafton County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.55066, -71.81152
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.
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 inspectionMay 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.8 US tons
Inventory rating32.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length108 ft (32.9 m)
Longest span96 ft (29.3 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic130 (2023)
Projected traffic192 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 Smith River Road over Smith River built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is Smith River Road over Smith 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Smith River Road over Smith River carry?

About 130 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Smith River Road over Smith River?

The structure is 108 ft (32.9 m) long with a longest span of 96 ft (29.3 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Smith River Road over Smith River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.