FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

RT 549

Carrying RT 549 over SOUTH BR OF KETTLE CREEK

0.2 mi N of CR 620, Ocean, New Jersey

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
25 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: RT 549

The RT 549 bridge in Ocean, New Jersey carries RT 549 over SOUTH BR OF KETTLE CREEK. It was built in 1987, making it 39 years old today. The structure is built primarily of prestressed concrete and spans 2 sections, stretching 14.9 meters (49 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 42,046 vehicles, placing it in the heavily-trafficked tier of New Jersey bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 6/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. No reported major component scores in the Poor range under the current federal condition thresholds. Its NBI inventory load rating is 25.4 metric tons.

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

How RT 549 compares

▼ 18.4
Load rating vs New Jersey average (43.8 t)
Bottom 16%
Lower load rating than 84% of New Jersey bridges
238
Bridges in Ocean · 7 in Poor condition
RT 549 25.4 t
New Jersey average 43.8 t

Live comparison across New Jersey.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
53.9 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
39.0
Serviceability /30
11.0
Essentiality /15
4.9
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
25.4 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
Prestressed Concrete
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
14.9 m (49 ft)
Deck Width
19.3 m (63 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
42,046 vehicles/day
Structure Number
1506008

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates fair at 5/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.
  • At 5/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether RT 549 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 RT 549 against other structures in Ocean and across New Jersey. New Jersey 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 RT 549?

RT 549 in Ocean, New Jersey has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is RT 549 inspected?

RT 549'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 42,046 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. RT 549 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 RT 549?

RT 549 has an NBI inventory load rating of 25.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining RT 549?

RT 549 is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is RT 549 and does age affect safety?

RT 549 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.