FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

SR 256

Carrying SR 256 over SYCAMORE CREEK

5.1 M E OF JCT SR 204, Fairfield, Ohio

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
32 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: SR 256

The SR 256 bridge in Fairfield, Ohio carries SR 256 over SYCAMORE CREEK. It was built in 1971, making it 55 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete continuous and spans 3 sections, stretching 30.2 meters (99 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,509 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Ohio bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure at 4/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 32.4 metric tons.

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

How SR 256 compares

▼ 5.1
Load rating vs Ohio average (37.5 t)
Bottom 26%
Lower load rating than 74% of Ohio bridges
320
Bridges in Fairfield · 16 in Poor condition
SR 256 32.4 t
Ohio average 37.5 t

Live comparison across Ohio.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
62.0 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
30.0
Serviceability /30
20.0
Essentiality /15
13.0
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
32.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1971
Material
Concrete Continuous
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
30.2 m (99 ft)
Deck Width
13.4 m (44 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
2,509 vehicles/day
Structure Number
2303124

Condition Analysis

  • At 4/9, the deck (driving surface) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for priority repair.
  • At 4/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for priority repair.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) rates fair at 5/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.

How to read this record

SR 256 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 SR 256 against other structures in Fairfield and across Ohio. Ohio 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 SR 256?

SR 256 in Fairfield, Ohio has a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is SR 256 inspected?

SR 256'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 2,509 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. SR 256 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 SR 256?

SR 256 has an NBI inventory load rating of 32.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining SR 256?

SR 256 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is SR 256 and does age affect safety?

SR 256 was built in 1971, making it 55 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.