US Bridges

Purling Beck Road over Beards Brook

Fair

Sullivan County, New Hampshire · 0.04 MI FR East Wash. RD · Structure no. 026501980010600

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 1954
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
96
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Purling Beck Road over Beards Brook is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Purling Beck Road over Beards Brook in Sullivan County, New Hampshire. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 1954, so it is 105 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 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 96 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 142 by 2043. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesPurling Beck Road
CrossesBeards Brook
Location0.04 MI FR East Wash. RD
CountySullivan County
StateNew Hampshire
Coordinates43.19011, -72.019
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating43 US tons
Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic96 (2023)
Projected traffic142 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Purling Beck Road over Beards Brook built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1954.

What condition is Purling Beck Road over Beards 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 2024.

How much traffic does Purling Beck Road over Beards Brook carry?

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

How long is Purling Beck Road over Beards Brook?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Purling Beck Road over Beards Brook?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.