US Bridges

Saw Mill Road over Beards Brook

Fair

Hillsborough County, New Hampshire · 1.4 Mi. Rte. 9 · Structure no. 012201120004200

Built
1919
106 years old, rebuilt 1931
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Frame
Concrete
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
592
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Saw Mill Road over Beards Brook is a concrete frame carrying Saw Mill Road over Beards Brook in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1919 and reconstructed in 1931, so it is 106 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 592 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 876 by 2043. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesSaw Mill Road
CrossesBeards Brook
Location1.4 Mi. Rte. 9
CountyHillsborough County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.11291, -71.92506
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic592 (2023)
Projected traffic876 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 Saw Mill Road over Beards Brook built?

It was built in 1919, making it 106 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1931.

What condition is Saw Mill 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 Saw Mill Road over Beards Brook carry?

About 592 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Saw Mill Road over Beards Brook?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Saw Mill Road over Beards Brook?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.