US Bridges

North Shore Road over Cockermouth River

Fair

Grafton County, New Hampshire · 1.74 Mi. from JCT RTE 3-A · Structure no. 011801070010100

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 1996
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
54 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,167
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

North Shore Road over Cockermouth River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying North Shore Road over Cockermouth River in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 1996, so it is 95 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 1,167 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,727 by 2043. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

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CarriesNorth Shore Road
CrossesCockermouth River
Location1.74 Mi. from JCT RTE 3-A
RouteState Highway 0
CountyGrafton County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.69437, -71.79648
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating25 US tons
Inventory rating18 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span52 ft (15.8 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,167 (2023)
Projected traffic1,727 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 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 North Shore Road over Cockermouth River built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1996.

What condition is North Shore Road over Cockermouth 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 2024.

How much traffic does North Shore Road over Cockermouth River carry?

About 1,167 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is North Shore Road over Cockermouth River?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 52 ft (15.8 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns North Shore Road over Cockermouth River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.