FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

RTE 277

Carrying RTE 277 over BUFFALO CREEK

0.8 m N Rte 400 Exit, Erie, New York

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
34 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: RTE 277

The RTE 277 bridge in Erie, New York carries RTE 277 over BUFFALO CREEK. It was built in 1980, making it 46 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 2003, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 38.7 meters (127 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 24,055 vehicles, placing it in the heavily-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 5/9, substructure at 4/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. A component scored 4 or below, placing this bridge in the federal Poor condition category rather than declaring it unsafe or closed. Its NBI inventory load rating is 33.6 metric tons.

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

How RTE 277 compares

▼ 8.3
Load rating vs New York average (41.9 t)
Bottom 34%
Lower load rating than 66% of New York bridges
1,082
Bridges in Erie · 45 in Poor condition
RTE 277 33.6 t
New York average 41.9 t

Live comparison across New York.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
49.2 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
30.0
Serviceability /30
12.0
Essentiality /15
8.2
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
33.6 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1980
Last Reconstructed
2003
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
38.7 m (127 ft)
Deck Width
25.0 m (82 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
24,055 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000001044250

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates good at 7/9, with no significant deterioration on file.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • At 4/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for priority repair.

How to read this record

RTE 277 is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare RTE 277 against other structures in Erie 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 277?

RTE 277 in Erie, New York has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 4/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is RTE 277 inspected?

RTE 277'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 24,055 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. RTE 277 is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for RTE 277?

RTE 277 has an NBI inventory load rating of 33.6 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining RTE 277?

RTE 277 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is RTE 277 and does age affect safety?

RTE 277 was built in 1980, making it 46 years old and last reconstructed in 2003.

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.