US Bridges

Borough Road over Smith River

Good

Merrimack County, New Hampshire · At Bristol T/L · Structure no. 012301300016500

Built
2010
15 years old
Condition
Good
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
90 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
96
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Borough Road over Smith River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Borough Road over Smith River in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It was built in 2010, so it is 15 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 96 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 142 by 2043. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesBorough Road
CrossesSmith River
LocationAt Bristol T/L
CountyMerrimack County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.56868, -71.73992
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating66.2 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span84 ft (25.6 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic96 (2023)
Projected traffic142 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
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 Borough Road over Smith River built?

It was built in 2010, making it 15 years old in 2025.

What condition is Borough Road over Smith River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does Borough Road over Smith River carry?

About 96 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Borough Road over Smith River?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 84 ft (25.6 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Borough Road over Smith River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.