US Bridges

Water Street over West Branch Brook

Fair

Merrimack County, New Hampshire · .12 MI from Old Warren R · Structure no. 002801260015000

Built
1980
45 years old, rebuilt 2017
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
349
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Water Street over West Branch Brook is a concrete slab carrying Water Street over West Branch Brook in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1980 and reconstructed in 2017, so it is 45 years old, younger 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 349 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 516 by 2043. The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWater Street
CrossesWest Branch Brook
Location.12 MI from Old Warren R
CountyMerrimack County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.26804, -71.96647
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 inspectionSeptember 2023
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating79.6 US tons
Inventory rating61.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length31 ft (9.5 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.3 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic349 (2023)
Projected traffic516 by 2043
Trucks4%
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

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 Water Street over West Branch Brook built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2017.

What condition is Water Street over West Branch 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Water Street over West Branch Brook carry?

About 349 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Water Street over West Branch Brook?

The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.3 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Water Street over West Branch Brook?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.