FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

ST 32 PALMER RD

Carrying ST 32 PALMER RD over COMB CHCPEE BRK & NECRR

300' S OF INT BETHANY RD, Hampden, Massachusetts

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
34 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: ST 32 PALMER RD

The ST 32 PALMER RD bridge in Hampden, Massachusetts carries ST 32 PALMER RD over COMB CHCPEE BRK & NECRR. It was built in 1937, making it 89 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1992, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 4 sections, stretching 100.0 meters (328 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 12,155 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 6/9, superstructure at 4/9, substructure at 7/9. 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 33.5 metric tons.

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

How ST 32 PALMER RD compares

▼ 7.7
Load rating vs Massachusetts average (41.2 t)
Bottom 37%
Lower load rating than 63% of Massachusetts bridges
429
Bridges in Hampden · 30 in Poor condition
ST 32 PALMER RD 33.5 t
Massachusetts average 41.2 t

Live comparison across Massachusetts.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
65.2 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
30.0
Serviceability /30
25.0
Essentiality /15
13.2
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
33.5 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1937
Last Reconstructed
1992
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
4
Structure Length
100.0 m (328 ft)
Deck Width
13.4 m (44 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
12,155 vehicles/day
Structure Number
M270321AKDOT634

Condition Analysis

  • At 6/9, 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 7/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.

How to read this record

ST 32 PALMER RD 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 ST 32 PALMER RD against other structures in Hampden 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 ST 32 PALMER RD?

ST 32 PALMER RD in Hampden, Massachusetts has a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 7/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is ST 32 PALMER RD inspected?

ST 32 PALMER RD'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 12,155 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. ST 32 PALMER RD 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 ST 32 PALMER RD?

ST 32 PALMER RD has an NBI inventory load rating of 33.5 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining ST 32 PALMER RD?

ST 32 PALMER RD is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is ST 32 PALMER RD and does age affect safety?

ST 32 PALMER RD was built in 1937, making it 89 years old and last reconstructed in 1992.

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.