ST 28 MAIN ST

over WATER BASS RIVER

AT DENNIS YARMOUTH TL, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Condition

Poor

Year Built

1935

Daily Traffic

15,407

Length

63 ft

About This Bridge

ST 28 MAIN ST carries traffic over WATER BASS RIVER in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Built in 1935, this structure is 91 years old, making it a historic structure that has served the community for generations. The bridge features concrete continuous construction with a slab design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Approximately 15,407 vehicles cross this bridge daily, representing moderate traffic volumes typical of important regional connectors. This level of usage requires regular monitoring to ensure continued safe operation. Commercial trucks account for 7% of all crossings. This proportion of commercial traffic is typical for this roadway classification and is factored into the bridge's design load ratings.

The bridge is currently rated in poor condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. It is classified as structurally deficient, meaning one or more components have received a rating of 4 or below on the 0-9 scale. This designation indicates significant deterioration that warrants attention, though the bridge remains safe for travel within its posted limits. Structurally deficient does not mean unsafe—rather, it signals that repairs or replacement should be prioritized in transportation planning. With a total length of 63 feet, this is a shorter span typical of local road crossings, often carrying traffic over small streams, drainage channels, or other roadways.

The construction materials used in this bridge were selected based on engineering requirements, cost considerations, and local conditions at the time of construction.

Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.

Condition Ratings

Structurally Deficient

This bridge has one or more component ratings of 4 or below, indicating significant deterioration that requires attention. The bridge remains safe for travel but may have load restrictions.

3

Deck Condition

Serious

3

Superstructure

Serious

3

Substructure

Serious

7

Channel & Protection

Good

3

Lowest Rating

Determines condition category

NBI condition ratings range from 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). Ratings of 4 or below are considered poor. The overall condition category is determined by the lowest individual component rating.

The deck rating of 3 indicates serious deterioration with section loss or spalling. The superstructure rating of 3 shows serious section loss affecting structural capacity. The substructure rating of 3 reflects serious deterioration in supports.

For a structure built in 1935, the current condition reflects the cumulative effects of age, traffic, and environmental exposure.

Bridge Details

Concrete Continuous is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The slab design was selected based on span requirements, load capacity needs, and site conditions at the time of construction. Maintenance responsibility falls to State Highway Agency.

Construction

Year Built1935
MaterialConcrete Continuous
Design TypeSlab
OwnerState Highway Agency

Dimensions

Total Length63 ft (19.1 m)
Max Span4 ft (1.1 m)
Deck Width5 ft
Deck Area2,847 sq ft

Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 2,847 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.

Classification

Route TypeState Highway
Route Number28
Lanes On Bridge2
Lanes Under Bridge

Status

Toll BridgeNo
Historical SignificanceNot determined
Scour Critical4
Detour Length4 mi (6 km)

Traffic Data

Traffic volume data helps engineers assess bridge wear patterns and plan maintenance schedules. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts are updated periodically and represent typical weekday usage.

15,407

Avg Daily Traffic (2018)

Vehicles per day crossing this bridge

7%

Truck Traffic

Commercial vehicle percentage

47,379

Projected Future ADT

Estimated future demand

This bridge carries approximately 15,407 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 5,623,555 crossings annually. This moderate traffic level is typical for regional connectors.

Commercial trucks comprise 7% of traffic. Heavy vehicles cause disproportionate wear—a single fully loaded truck can have the impact of thousands of passenger cars on bridge deck surfaces.

Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 47,379 vehicles daily, a 208% increase from current levels. These projections inform capacity planning and potential upgrade requirements.

Load Ratings

Load ratings determine what weight this bridge can safely support. These values are critical for routing heavy vehicles and issuing overweight permits.

Operating Rating

4.5 tons

Maximum allowable load for special permits

Inventory Rating

3.2 tons

Load level for normal traffic

The operating rating of 4.5 tons represents the absolute maximum load this bridge can carry under controlled conditions with special permits. The inventory rating of 3.2 tons is the safe load limit for everyday traffic without restrictions. These relatively low ratings may result in posted weight limits or route restrictions for heavy vehicles.

5-Year Condition Trend

Stable

Condition has remained relatively stable since 2020

Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory

Location

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43.232222, -71.702500

Identification

Structure NumberD0700447TDOTNBI
NBI IDMA-D0700447TDOTNBI
State FIPS25
County FIPS001

Explore More

Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024

Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.

“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.

ST 28 MAIN ST over WATER BASS RIVER | Massachusetts