US Bridges

Bickford Hill Road over Ham Branch

Fair

Grafton County, New Hampshire · 0.07MI. RTE 116 · Structure no. 008700550010100

Built
1973
52 years old, rebuilt 2020
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
47 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
96
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bickford Hill Road over Ham Branch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bickford Hill Road over Ham Branch in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1973 and reconstructed in 2020, so it is 52 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.

It carries about 96 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 142 by 2043. The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesBickford Hill Road
CrossesHam Branch
Location0.07MI. RTE 116
CountyGrafton County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates44.21438, -71.75112
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37.3 US tons
Inventory rating25.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length47 ft (14.3 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.8 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic96 (2023)
Projected traffic142 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Bickford Hill Road over Ham Branch built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2020.

What condition is Bickford Hill Road over Ham Branch 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 Bickford Hill Road over Ham Branch carry?

About 96 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Bickford Hill Road over Ham Branch?

The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Bickford Hill Road over Ham Branch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.