COUNTY ROAD 70A
Carrying COUNTY ROAD 70A over BIG CREEK
0.3 MI NE OF N.HORNELL, Steuben, 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: COUNTY ROAD 70A
The COUNTY ROAD 70A bridge in Steuben, New York carries COUNTY ROAD 70A over BIG CREEK. It was built in 1936, making it 90 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1993, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 3 sections, stretching 45.7 meters (150 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,140 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 a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure at 6/9, substructure at 6/9 on the 0–9 NBI scale, where 9 is excellent and 0 is failed. The weakest component sits in fair 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 15.4 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, COUNTY ROAD 70A 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 90-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 COUNTY ROAD 70A 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
- 1936
- Last Reconstructed
- 1993
- Material
- Steel
- Number of Spans
- 3
- Structure Length
- 45.7 m (150 ft)
- Deck Width
- 8.5 m (28 ft)
- Owner
- County Highway Agency
- Avg Daily Traffic
- 2,140 vehicles/day
- Structure Number
- 000000003334730
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 1936, this bridge is 90 years old and was last reconstructed in 1993. It carries approximately 2,140 vehicles per day. Based on the most recent FHWA inspection:
- • The deck (driving surface) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
- • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
- • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
Its NBI inventory load rating is low, indicating a load-restricted structure.
How to read this record
This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded — not whether COUNTY ROAD 70A 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 COUNTY ROAD 70A against other structures in Steuben 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 COUNTY ROAD 70A?
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. COUNTY ROAD 70A in Steuben, New York has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 6/9, and substructure rating of 6/9.
How often is COUNTY ROAD 70A 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). COUNTY ROAD 70A is part of the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the FHWA. With 2,140 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. COUNTY ROAD 70A is not classified as structurally deficient.
What is the inventory load rating for COUNTY ROAD 70A?
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. COUNTY ROAD 70A has an inventory load rating of 15.4 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 COUNTY ROAD 70A?
Bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility varies — bridges may be owned by state DOTs, counties, cities, railroads, or federal agencies. COUNTY ROAD 70A 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 COUNTY ROAD 70A and does age affect safety?
COUNTY ROAD 70A was built in 1936, making it 90 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 1993.
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.