FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

I 495 SB

Carrying I 495 SB over ST 28 SB/N MAIN ST

2.4 MI N I93, Essex, Massachusetts

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
35 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: I 495 SB

The I 495 SB bridge in Essex, Massachusetts carries I 495 SB over ST 28 SB/N MAIN ST. It was built in 1962, making it 64 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 3 sections, stretching 35.6 meters (117 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 95,100 vehicles, placing it in the heavily-trafficked tier of Massachusetts bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 6/9, substructure at 4/9. 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 34.8 metric tons.

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

How I 495 SB compares

▼ 6.4
Load rating vs Massachusetts average (41.2 t)
Bottom 43%
Lower load rating than 57% of Massachusetts bridges
399
Bridges in Essex · 66 in Poor condition
I 495 SB 34.8 t
Massachusetts average 41.2 t

Live comparison across Massachusetts.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
36.0 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
30.0
Serviceability /30
6.0
Essentiality /15
0.0
Special reductions
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
34.8 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1962
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
35.6 m (117 ft)
Deck Width
18.3 m (60 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
95,100 vehicles/day
Structure Number
A090362XVDOTNBI

Condition Analysis

  • At 5/9, the deck (driving surface) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) rates fair at 6/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) rates poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.

How to read this record

I 495 SB 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 I 495 SB against other structures in Essex and across Massachusetts. Massachusetts 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 I 495 SB?

I 495 SB in Essex, Massachusetts has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 6/9, and substructure rating of 4/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is I 495 SB inspected?

I 495 SB'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 95,100 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. I 495 SB 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 I 495 SB?

I 495 SB has an NBI inventory load rating of 34.8 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining I 495 SB?

I 495 SB is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is I 495 SB and does age affect safety?

I 495 SB was built in 1962, making it 64 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.