US Bridges

Beard Road over Beards Brook

FairPosted for load

Hillsborough County, New Hampshire · 2.7 MI FR Nh RTE 9 · Structure no. 012200920009000

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Culvert
Masonry
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
96
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Beard Road over Beards Brook is a masonry culvert carrying Beard Road over Beards Brook in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 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 96 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 142 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesBeard Road
CrossesBeards Brook
Location2.7 MI FR Nh RTE 9
CountyHillsborough County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.14361, -71.95572
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
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 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
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating10.8 US tons
Inventory rating6.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 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 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 Beard Road over Beards Brook built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is Beard Road over Beards 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Beard Road over Beards Brook carry?

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

How long is Beard Road over Beards Brook?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m).

Who owns Beard Road over Beards Brook?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.