US Bridges

River Road over Clay Brook

FairPosted for load

Grafton County, New Hampshire · 0.3 Mi. Tl Orford · Structure no. 015700690019000

Built
1885
140 years old, rebuilt 1970
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Wood or Timber
Length
149 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
154
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Clay Brook is a wood or timber truss - thru carrying River Road over Clay Brook in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1885 and reconstructed in 1970, so it is 140 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 154 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 227 by 2043. The structure is 149 ft (45.4 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesRiver Road
CrossesClay Brook
Location0.3 Mi. Tl Orford
CountyGrafton County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.86784, -72.16469
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating5.3 US tons
Inventory rating3.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length149 ft (45.4 m)
Longest span115 ft (35.1 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.2 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck9 ft (2.6 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic154 (2023)
Projected traffic227 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
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 River Road over Clay Brook built?

It was built in 1885, making it 140 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1970.

What condition is River Road over Clay 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does River Road over Clay Brook carry?

About 154 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Clay Brook?

The structure is 149 ft (45.4 m) long with a longest span of 115 ft (35.1 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Clay Brook?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.