US Bridges

Sherman Ave over Pawcatuck River

Fair

Washington County, Rhode Island · 0.1 MI N of JCT Ri 2 · Structure no. 000000000001480

Built
1913
112 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
303
2014 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sherman Ave over Pawcatuck River is a concrete arch - deck carrying Sherman Ave over Pawcatuck River in Washington County, Rhode Island. It was built in 1913, so it is 112 years old, older than the Rhode Island average of 54.5 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 303 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 364 by 2036. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesSherman Ave
CrossesPawcatuck River
Location0.1 MI N of JCT Ri 2
RouteCity Street 0
CountyWashington County
StateRhode Island
Coordinates41.4452, -71.6269
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 rating68.9 US tons
Inventory rating53.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic303 (2014)
Projected traffic364 by 2036
Trucks10%
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 statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sherman Ave over Pawcatuck River built?

It was built in 1913, making it 112 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sherman Ave over Pawcatuck 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 2023.

How much traffic does Sherman Ave over Pawcatuck River carry?

About 303 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Sherman Ave over Pawcatuck River?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Sherman Ave over Pawcatuck River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.