FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

HWY SCHOOL ST

Carrying HWY SCHOOL ST over ST128

.6 MI N MANCHESTER TOWN H, Essex, Massachusetts

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
32 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: HWY SCHOOL ST

The HWY SCHOOL ST bridge in Essex, Massachusetts carries HWY SCHOOL ST over ST128. It was built in 1952, making it 74 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel continuous and spans 2 sections, stretching 35.9 meters (118 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 8,200 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-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 4/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. A component scored 4 or below, placing this bridge in the federal Poor condition category rather than declaring it unsafe or closed. Its NBI inventory load rating is 31.5 metric tons.

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

How HWY SCHOOL ST compares

▼ 9.7
Load rating vs Massachusetts average (41.2 t)
Bottom 26%
Lower load rating than 74% of Massachusetts bridges
399
Bridges in Essex · 66 in Poor condition
HWY SCHOOL ST 31.5 t
Massachusetts average 41.2 t

Live comparison across Massachusetts.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
57.2 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
29.7
Serviceability /30
18.0
Essentiality /15
9.5
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
31.5 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1952
Material
Steel Continuous
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
35.9 m (118 ft)
Deck Width
14.9 m (49 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
8,200 vehicles/day
Structure Number
M0201531DDOTNBI

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 poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.
  • At 5/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

HWY SCHOOL ST 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 HWY SCHOOL ST 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 HWY SCHOOL ST?

HWY SCHOOL ST in Essex, Massachusetts has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is HWY SCHOOL ST inspected?

HWY SCHOOL 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 8,200 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. HWY SCHOOL ST 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 HWY SCHOOL ST?

HWY SCHOOL ST has an NBI inventory load rating of 31.5 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining HWY SCHOOL ST?

HWY SCHOOL ST is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is HWY SCHOOL ST and does age affect safety?

HWY SCHOOL ST was built in 1952, making it 74 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.