SOUTH MAIN STREET
Carrying SOUTH MAIN STREET over CHADAKOIN RIVER
AT JAMESTOWN, Chautauqua, New York
FHWA NBI inspection record for this structure. Condition ratings, inventory load rating, span, deck width, and average daily traffic refresh annually with each NBI release.
Bridge Snapshot: SOUTH MAIN STREET
The SOUTH MAIN STREET bridge in Chautauqua, New York carries SOUTH MAIN STREET over CHADAKOIN RIVER. It was built in 1872, making it 154 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 2018, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of masonry and spans 2 sections, stretching 22.9 meters (75 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 5,837 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of New York bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency, the entity responsible for routine inspections and any needed repairs.
The latest FHWA inspection records show superstructure at 8/9, substructure at 8/9 on the 0–9 NBI scale, where 9 is excellent and 0 is failed. The weakest component sits in good condition, which drives the overall status of this bridge. No major component scores in the poor range, so the bridge is not classified as structurally deficient under federal criteria. Its NBI inventory load rating is 21.4 metric tons — the load level the structure is rated to carry at inventory (long-term) level.
In a county that maintains hundreds of NBI-tracked bridges, SOUTH MAIN STREET is one data point in a New York inventory that FHWA inspects on a two-year cycle (more often when ratings fall). Bridge age alone is not a reliable safety signal — a 154-era structure can outperform a newer one when maintenance is consistent, materials are sound, and traffic loads stay within design limits. Use the condition ratings above, the inventory load rating, and the structurally-deficient flag together to read the bridge's real status, and check the linked county and state pages to see how this bridge ranks against its peers.
Every figure on this page comes directly from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory (NBI), the public dataset that catalogs more than 575,000 highway bridges across the United States and is updated annually from the records that each state Department of Transportation submits to the FHWA. The condition codes use the standardized FHWA Recording and Coding Guide, the same scale that determines federal eligibility for the Highway Bridge Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant set-aside for off-system bridges. A "structurally deficient" classification under those federal criteria is a maintenance and funding flag, never a closure order; states keep deficient bridges open with load posting, weight limits, or accelerated inspection cycles until rehabilitation or replacement is funded. See our methodology for refresh cadence and the exact NBI release vintage powering each record.
How SOUTH MAIN STREET compares
NBI inventory load rating (metric tons) and structural-deficiency status compared across New York, computed live from the FHWA NBI.
Sufficiency Rating
PlainBridge-computedComputed by PlainBridge from the published FHWA NBI items using the agency's historical sufficiency-rating formula (Recording & Coding Guide, Appendix B). The FHWA itself no longer publishes this composite — see how it is calculated.
Condition Ratings
Ratings are on a 0–9 scale: 9 = Excellent, 7–8 = Good, 5–6 = Fair, 3–4 = Poor, 0–2 = Critical/Failed. Sufficiency rating (0–100) combines structural adequacy, functional obsolescence, and essentiality.
Structural Details
- Year Built
- 1872
- Last Reconstructed
- 2018
- Material
- Masonry
- Number of Spans
- 2
- Structure Length
- 22.9 m (75 ft)
- Deck Width
- 19.9 m (65 ft)
- Owner
- County Highway Agency
- Avg Daily Traffic
- 5,837 vehicles/day
- Structure Number
- 000000002258360
Location
Data Source
Data from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Bridge inspections are required every two years by federal law. Conditions reflect the most recent inspection.
FHWA NBI Program ↗Guides
Condition Analysis
Built in 1872, this bridge is 154 years old and was last reconstructed in 2018. It carries approximately 5,837 vehicles per day. Based on the most recent FHWA inspection:
- • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good condition (8/9), showing no significant deterioration.
- • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in good condition (8/9), showing no significant deterioration.
Its NBI inventory load rating reflects the load level it is rated to carry.
How to read this record
This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded — not whether SOUTH MAIN STREET is safe to cross today. Here is how to use it.
- NBI condition ratings reflect the most recent inspection, which can be up to 24 months old — treat them as a snapshot, not a live status.
- Learn how the 0–9 condition scale and the structurally-deficient flag are defined. How condition ratings work
- Compare SOUTH MAIN STREET against other structures in Chautauqua 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 SOUTH MAIN STREET?
Bridge condition ratings use a 0–9 scale set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Ratings 7–9 indicate good condition with no significant problems. Ratings 5–6 mean fair condition with minor issues. Ratings 3–4 indicate poor condition requiring repair. Ratings 0–2 are critical, meaning the bridge has serious structural problems. SOUTH MAIN STREET in Chautauqua, New York, superstructure rating of 8/9, and substructure rating of 8/9.
How often is SOUTH MAIN STREET inspected?
Federal law requires most highway bridges to be inspected at least every 24 months. Bridges in poor condition or with known issues may be inspected more frequently (every 12 months or less). SOUTH MAIN STREET is part of the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the FHWA. With 5,837 vehicles crossing daily, regular inspection is essential.
What does "structurally deficient" mean for a bridge?
A structurally deficient bridge has at least one major component (deck, superstructure, or substructure) rated 4 or below on the FHWA 0–9 scale. This classification does NOT mean the bridge is unsafe for travel — it means the bridge needs repair, rehabilitation, or eventual replacement. Structurally deficient bridges remain open and are monitored. SOUTH MAIN STREET is not classified as structurally deficient.
What is the inventory load rating for SOUTH MAIN STREET?
The NBI inventory rating is the load level a bridge is rated to carry for an indefinite period, recorded in metric tons. A lower number means the structure is more load-restricted. SOUTH MAIN STREET has an inventory load rating of 21.4 metric tons. It is distinct from the FHWA sufficiency rating, a separate 0–100 funding-eligibility score that this dataset does not include.
Who is responsible for maintaining SOUTH MAIN STREET?
Bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility varies — bridges may be owned by state DOTs, counties, cities, railroads, or federal agencies. SOUTH MAIN STREET is maintained by County Highway Agency. The FHWA oversees the National Bridge Inventory program and sets inspection standards, but day-to-day maintenance falls to the owning agency. If you notice damage or safety concerns, contact your state DOT or call 911 for emergencies.
How old is SOUTH MAIN STREET and does age affect safety?
SOUTH MAIN STREET was built in 1872, making it 154 years old. Bridge age alone does not determine safety — condition depends on materials, design, traffic load, maintenance history, and environmental exposure. Many older bridges remain in good condition due to regular maintenance and reconstruction. This bridge was last reconstructed in 2018.
Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A structurally deficient rating does not mean a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel — it indicates the bridge requires repair or replacement. For current closure or safety information, contact your state DOT.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.