US Bridges

Sharon Road over Contoocook River

Fair

Hillsborough County, New Hampshire · 1.28 MI Sharon Tl · Structure no. 020800710005400

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
59 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
646
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sharon Road over Contoocook River is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Sharon Road over Contoocook River in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1925, so it is 100 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 646 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 956 by 2043. The structure is 59 ft (18 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSharon Road
CrossesContoocook River
Location1.28 MI Sharon Tl
RouteState Highway 0
CountyHillsborough County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates42.85266, -71.9638
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44.6 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length59 ft (18 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic646 (2023)
Projected traffic956 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

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 Sharon Road over Contoocook River built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sharon Road over Contoocook 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 Sharon Road over Contoocook River carry?

About 646 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Sharon Road over Contoocook River?

The structure is 59 ft (18 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Sharon Road over Contoocook River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.