US Bridges

Saunders Hill Road over Baker River

Fair

Grafton County, New Hampshire · 0.06 Mi. W of Nh 25 · Structure no. 026901420009600

Built
1928
97 years old, rebuilt 2010
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
112 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
21
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Saunders Hill Road over Baker River is a steel truss - thru carrying Saunders Hill Road over Baker River in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1928 and reconstructed in 2010, so it is 97 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 6 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 21 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 31 by 2043. The structure is 112 ft (34.1 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSaunders Hill Road
CrossesBaker River
Location0.06 Mi. W of Nh 25
CountyGrafton County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.85369, -71.91213
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating50.2 US tons
Inventory rating37.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length112 ft (34.1 m)
Longest span103 ft (31.4 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.8 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck12 ft (3.7 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic21 (2023)
Projected traffic31 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 Saunders Hill Road over Baker River built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2010.

What condition is Saunders Hill Road over Baker 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Saunders Hill Road over Baker River carry?

About 21 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Saunders Hill Road over Baker River?

The structure is 112 ft (34.1 m) long with a longest span of 103 ft (31.4 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Saunders Hill Road over Baker River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.