FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

MD 51

Carrying MD 51 over TOWN CREEK

0.07 MI W OF GUN CLUB RD, Allegany, Maryland

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
27 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: MD 51

The MD 51 bridge in Allegany, Maryland carries MD 51 over TOWN CREEK. It was built in 1932, making it 94 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 2001, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 2 sections, stretching 63.1 meters (207 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,022 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Maryland bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. At least one major component here scores 4 or below, which produces a Poor condition classification under FHWA's current reporting rules. Its NBI inventory load rating is 26.8 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How MD 51 compares

▼ 24.3
Load rating vs Maryland average (51.1 t)
Bottom 10%
Lower load rating than 90% of Maryland bridges
245
Bridges in Allegany · 15 in Poor condition
MD 51 26.8 t
Maryland average 51.1 t

Live comparison across Maryland.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
52.0 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
40.7
Serviceability /30
8.0
Essentiality /15
8.4
Special reductions
−5.0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
26.8 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1932
Last Reconstructed
2001
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
63.1 m (207 ft)
Deck Width
8.7 m (29 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
2,022 vehicles/day
Structure Number
100000010047010

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.

How to read this record

MD 51 is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare MD 51 against other structures in Allegany and across Maryland. Maryland bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for MD 51?

MD 51 in Allegany, Maryland has a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is MD 51 inspected?

MD 51's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 2,022 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. MD 51 is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for MD 51?

MD 51 has an NBI inventory load rating of 26.8 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining MD 51?

MD 51 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is MD 51 and does age affect safety?

MD 51 was built in 1932, making it 94 years old and last reconstructed in 2001.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.