US Bridges

Podunk Road over Bear Brook

Fair

Merrimack County, New Hampshire · Bear Brook Reservation · Structure no. 000401610007900

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
303
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Podunk Road over Bear Brook is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Podunk Road over Bear Brook in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 1990, so it is 75 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 303 vehicles a day, projected to reach 448 by 2043. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesPodunk Road
CrossesBear Brook
LocationBear Brook Reservation
CountyMerrimack County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.14537, -71.35524
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating71.3 US tons
Inventory rating42.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic303 (2023)
Projected traffic448 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Podunk Road over Bear Brook built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is Podunk Road over Bear 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Podunk Road over Bear Brook carry?

About 303 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is Podunk Road over Bear Brook?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Podunk Road over Bear Brook?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.