U.S. Route 301 over Potomac River
Charles County, Maryland · rated Good in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- U.S. Route 301 over Potomac River in Charles County, Maryland, is rated in good condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the deck, rated 8 (very good condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 2022, making it 3 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 18,550 vehicles a day (traffic count year 2020).
- It is one of 42 of the 94 inventoried bridges in Charles County rated good (44.7%); 8 (8.5%) are rated poor.
- Its traffic status in the 2025 inventory is open, no restriction (NBI item 41).
- Its condition class and component ratings are unchanged from the 2024 inventory.
- Its most recent inspection on record is dated January 2023, on a 24-month routine inspection cycle.
- A good rating means every major component - deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert - is rated 7 or higher on FHWA's 0-9 scale: no more than minor problems.
View this bridge on a map → (38.35934, -77.01537)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 8 | 8 | Very good condition |
| Superstructure | 9 | 9 | Excellent condition |
| Substructure | 9 | 9 | Excellent condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Continuous steel stringer or multi-beam girder |
| Length | about 9,966 ft |
| Location | on Virginia Line |
| NBI structure number | 300000CHZ301010 |
| Condition class | Good |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | January 2023 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 8: foundations stable, scour above the top of the footing |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the Maryland department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Charles County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Md 5 SB over Zekiah Swamp | 1931 | 41,209 | Fair |
| Md 228 over Piney Branch | 1957 | 39,800 | Fair |
| Md 228 EB over Mattawoman Creek | 1995 | 39,800 | Good |
| Md 228 WB over Mattawoman Creek | 1995 | 39,800 | Good |
| Md 5 Nbr over Trib to Jordan Swamp | 1964 | 38,312 | Good |
| Md 5 NB over Zekiah Swamp | 1966 | 37,490 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: Charles County, MD bridge conditions · every bridge in Charles County · Maryland bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.