US Bridges

Penacook Road over Contoocook River

Fair

Merrimack County, New Hampshire · 1.0 MI FR Webster Tl · Structure no. 012901300015400

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
244 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,246
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Penacook Road over Contoocook River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Penacook Road over Contoocook River in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1980, 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 1,246 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,844 by 2043. The structure is 244 ft (74.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesPenacook Road
CrossesContoocook River
Location1.0 MI FR Webster Tl
CountyMerrimack County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.23668, -71.69079
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating64.8 US tons
Inventory rating44.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length244 ft (74.4 m)
Longest span90 ft (27.4 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,246 (2023)
Projected traffic1,844 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 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 Penacook Road over Contoocook River built?

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

What condition is Penacook 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Penacook Road over Contoocook River carry?

About 1,246 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Penacook Road over Contoocook River?

The structure is 244 ft (74.4 m) long with a longest span of 90 ft (27.4 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Penacook Road over Contoocook River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.