FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

MD 244

Carrying MD 244 over POPLAR HILL CREEK

0.16 M W OF TOWER HILL RD, St. Mary's, Maryland

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
54 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: MD 244

The MD 244 bridge in St. Mary's, Maryland carries MD 244 over POPLAR HILL CREEK. It was built in 1938, making it 88 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 7.0 meters (23 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,517 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 6/9, superstructure at 6/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. All reported major components score above the Poor range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 53.5 metric tons.

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

How MD 244 compares

▲ 2.4
Load rating vs Maryland average (51.1 t)
Top 35%
Higher load rating than 65% of Maryland bridges
50
Bridges in St. Mary's · 2 in Poor condition
MD 244 53.5 t
Maryland average 51.1 t

Live comparison across Maryland.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
68.2 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
45.0
Serviceability /30
10.0
Essentiality /15
13.2
Special reductions
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
53.5 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1938
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
7.0 m (23 ft)
Deck Width
9.3 m (31 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
2,517 vehicles/day
Structure Number
100000180024010

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates fair at 6/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) rates fair at 6/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.
  • At 5/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether MD 244 is safe to cross today. Here is how to use it.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Learn how the 0–9 condition scale and Good/Fair/Poor categories are defined. How condition ratings work
  • Compare MD 244 against other structures in St. Mary's 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 244?

MD 244 in St. Mary's, Maryland has a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure rating of 6/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is MD 244 inspected?

MD 244'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 2,517 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. MD 244 is currently shown as Fair condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for MD 244?

MD 244 has an NBI inventory load rating of 53.5 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining MD 244?

MD 244 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is MD 244 and does age affect safety?

MD 244 was built in 1938, making it 88 years old.

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.