US Bridges

North Road over Smith River

Fair

Merrimack County, New Hampshire · .36 Mi. NW Jct. 104 and 4 · Structure no. 005801380010400

Built
1936
89 years old, rebuilt 1949
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
46 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
511
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

North Road over Smith River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying North Road over Smith River in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1936 and reconstructed in 1949, so it is 89 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 6 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 511 vehicles a day, projected to reach 756 by 2043. The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNorth Road
CrossesSmith River
Location.36 Mi. NW Jct. 104 and 4
RouteState Highway 0
CountyMerrimack County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.53111, -71.86232
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating37 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length46 ft (14 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic511 (2023)
Projected traffic756 by 2043
Trucks0%
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 North Road over Smith River built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1949.

What condition is North Road over Smith 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 North Road over Smith River carry?

About 511 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is North Road over Smith River?

The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns North Road over Smith River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.