FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

STEPHENS ROAD

Carrying STEPHENS ROAD over HAMMOND BRANCH

0.3 M N WHISKEY BOTTOM RD, Howard, Maryland

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Good
38 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: STEPHENS ROAD

The STEPHENS ROAD bridge in Howard, Maryland carries STEPHENS ROAD over HAMMOND BRANCH. It was built in 2021, making it 5 years old today. The structure is built primarily of prestressed concrete continuous and spans 2 sections, stretching 53.2 meters (175 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 3,350 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked 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 8/9, substructure at 7/9. The weakest component sits in good condition. No reported major component scores in the Poor range under the current federal condition thresholds. Its NBI inventory load rating is 37.6 metric tons.

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

How STEPHENS ROAD compares

▼ 13.5
Load rating vs Maryland average (51.1 t)
Bottom 34%
Lower load rating than 66% of Maryland bridges
310
Bridges in Howard · 18 in Poor condition
STEPHENS ROAD 37.6 t
Maryland average 51.1 t

Live comparison across Maryland.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
93.2 / 100 - historical 80–100 band
Structural adequacy /55
55.0
Serviceability /30
24.0
Essentiality /15
14.2
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
7/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
8/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
37.6 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Good

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

Structural Details

Year Built
2021
Material
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
53.2 m (175 ft)
Deck Width
17.6 m (58 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
3,350 vehicles/day
Structure Number
200000HO0013010

Condition Analysis

  • At 7/9, the deck (driving surface) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • At 8/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) rates good at 7/9, with no significant deterioration on file.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether STEPHENS 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 STEPHENS ROAD against other structures in Howard 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 STEPHENS ROAD?

STEPHENS ROAD in Howard, Maryland has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 8/9, and substructure rating of 7/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is STEPHENS ROAD inspected?

STEPHENS 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 3,350 vehicles per day.

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

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

What is the inventory load rating for STEPHENS ROAD?

STEPHENS ROAD has an NBI inventory load rating of 37.6 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining STEPHENS ROAD?

STEPHENS ROAD is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is STEPHENS ROAD and does age affect safety?

STEPHENS ROAD was built in 2021, making it 5 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.