FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

PEPPER ROAD

Carrying PEPPER ROAD over FAULKNER BRANCH

0.8 MILES NORTH OF MD 318, Caroline, Maryland

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
46 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: PEPPER ROAD

The PEPPER ROAD bridge in Caroline, Maryland carries PEPPER ROAD over FAULKNER BRANCH. It was built in 1994, making it 32 years old today. The structure is built primarily of wood or timber and spans 2 sections, stretching 12.5 meters (41 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 342 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Maryland bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure at 7/9, substructure at 6/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. No reported major component scores in the Poor range under the current federal condition thresholds. Its NBI inventory load rating is 46.3 metric tons.

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

How PEPPER ROAD compares

▼ 4.8
Load rating vs Maryland average (51.1 t)
Top 46%
Higher load rating than 54% of Maryland bridges
70
Bridges in Caroline · 6 in Poor condition
PEPPER ROAD 46.3 t
Maryland average 51.1 t

Live comparison across Maryland.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
99.0 / 100 - historical 80–100 band
Structural adequacy /55
55.0
Serviceability /30
30.0
Essentiality /15
15.0
Special reductions
−1.0

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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
7/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
46.3 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1994
Material
Wood or Timber
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
12.5 m (41 ft)
Deck Width
9.8 m (32 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
342 vehicles/day
Structure Number
200000CO0035010

Condition Analysis

  • At 7/9, the deck (driving surface) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) rates good at 7/9, with no significant deterioration on file.
  • At 6/9, 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 PEPPER ROAD 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 PEPPER ROAD against other structures in Caroline 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 PEPPER ROAD?

PEPPER ROAD in Caroline, Maryland has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is PEPPER ROAD inspected?

PEPPER ROAD'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 342 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. PEPPER ROAD 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 PEPPER ROAD?

PEPPER ROAD has an NBI inventory load rating of 46.3 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining PEPPER ROAD?

PEPPER ROAD is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is PEPPER ROAD and does age affect safety?

PEPPER ROAD was built in 1994, making it 32 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.