US Bridges

Ramsdell Road over Contoocook River

Fair

Merrimack County, New Hampshire · .09 MI FR Nh RTE 114 · Structure no. 012001230010600

Built
1937
88 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
111 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
531
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ramsdell Road over Contoocook River is a steel truss - thru carrying Ramsdell Road over Contoocook River in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1937 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 88 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 531 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 785 by 2043. The structure is 111 ft (33.8 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesRamsdell Road
CrossesContoocook River
Location.09 MI FR Nh RTE 114
CountyMerrimack County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.17394, -71.81712
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating59.7 US tons
Inventory rating38.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckClosed grating
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length111 ft (33.8 m)
Longest span108 ft (32.9 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck14 ft (4.2 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic531 (2023)
Projected traffic785 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 Ramsdell Road over Contoocook River built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is Ramsdell 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Ramsdell Road over Contoocook River carry?

About 531 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Ramsdell Road over Contoocook River?

The structure is 111 ft (33.8 m) long with a longest span of 108 ft (32.9 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Ramsdell Road over Contoocook River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.