RTE 38
Carrying RTE 38 over VIRGIL CREEK
0.4 MI S JCT RTS 38 + 13, Tompkins, New York
Data updated May 2026
FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.
Bridge Snapshot: RTE 38
The RTE 38 bridge in Tompkins, New York carries RTE 38 over VIRGIL CREEK. It was built in 1953, making it 73 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1991, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 19.2 meters (63 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 3,690 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of New York bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.
The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure at 7/9, substructure at 7/9. The weakest component sits in good condition. None of this bridge's reported major components fall into the Poor condition range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 56.2 metric tons.
Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.
How RTE 38 compares
Live comparison across New York.
Historical Sufficiency Rating
PlainBridge-computedFHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.
Condition Ratings
Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.
Structural Details
- Year Built
- 1953
- Last Reconstructed
- 1991
- Material
- Steel
- Number of Spans
- 1
- Structure Length
- 19.2 m (63 ft)
- Deck Width
- 11.3 m (37 ft)
- Owner
- State Highway Agency
- Avg Daily Traffic
- 3,690 vehicles/day
- Structure Number
- 000000001024180
Location
Data Source
FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI).
FHWA NBI Program ↗Condition Analysis
- • The deck (driving surface) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
- • At 7/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
- • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
How to read this record
This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether RTE 38 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 RTE 38 against other structures in Tompkins and across New York. New York 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 RTE 38?
RTE 38 in Tompkins, New York has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 7/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.
How often is RTE 38 inspected?
RTE 38'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 3,690 vehicles per day.
What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?
FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. RTE 38 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 RTE 38?
RTE 38 has an NBI inventory load rating of 56.2 metric tons.
Who is responsible for maintaining RTE 38?
RTE 38 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.
How old is RTE 38 and does age affect safety?
RTE 38 was built in 1953, making it 73 years old and last reconstructed in 1991.
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.
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.