FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

CENTRAL ST

Carrying CENTRAL ST over KENDUSKEAG STREAM

CENTER OF CITY, Penobscot, Maine

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
60 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: CENTRAL ST

The CENTRAL ST bridge in Penobscot, Maine carries CENTRAL ST over KENDUSKEAG STREAM. It was built in 1987, making it 39 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 2 sections, stretching 44.2 meters (145 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 8,348 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Maine 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 5/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. All reported major components score above the Poor range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 59.6 metric tons.

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

How CENTRAL ST compares

▲ 19.4
Load rating vs Maine average (40.2 t)
Top 13%
Higher load rating than 87% of Maine bridges
63
Bridges in Penobscot · 11 in Poor condition
CENTRAL ST 59.6 t
Maine average 40.2 t

Live comparison across Maine.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
86.0 / 100 - historical 80–100 band
Structural adequacy /55
45.0
Serviceability /30
29.0
Essentiality /15
15.0
Special reductions
−3.0

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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
7/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
59.6 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1987
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
44.2 m (145 ft)
Deck Width
21.5 m (71 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
8,348 vehicles/day
Structure Number
0896

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • At 5/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether CENTRAL ST 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 CENTRAL ST against other structures in Penobscot and across Maine. Maine 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 CENTRAL ST?

CENTRAL ST in Penobscot, Maine has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is CENTRAL ST inspected?

CENTRAL ST'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 8,348 vehicles per day.

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

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

What is the inventory load rating for CENTRAL ST?

CENTRAL ST has an NBI inventory load rating of 59.6 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining CENTRAL ST?

CENTRAL ST is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is CENTRAL ST and does age affect safety?

CENTRAL ST was built in 1987, making it 39 years old.

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.