FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

N43

Carrying N43 over LITTLE NEMAHA RIVER

1S BENNET, Lancaster, Nebraska

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
31 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: N43

The N43 bridge in Lancaster, Nebraska carries N43 over LITTLE NEMAHA RIVER. It was built in 1961, making it 65 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 30.8 meters (101 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,940 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Nebraska bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 7/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. All reported major components score above the Poor range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 31.0 metric tons.

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

How N43 compares

▲ 3.3
Load rating vs Nebraska average (27.7 t)
Top 42%
Higher load rating than 58% of Nebraska bridges
684
Bridges in Lancaster · 27 in Poor condition
N43 31.0 t
Nebraska average 27.7 t

Live comparison across Nebraska.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
59.9 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
44.5
Serviceability /30
11.0
Essentiality /15
4.4
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
7/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
31.0 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1961
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
30.8 m (101 ft)
Deck Width
10.1 m (33 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
2,940 vehicles/day
Structure Number
S043 01441

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) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether N43 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 N43 against other structures in Lancaster and across Nebraska. Nebraska 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 N43?

N43 in Lancaster, Nebraska has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is N43 inspected?

N43'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 2,940 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. N43 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 N43?

N43 has an NBI inventory load rating of 31.0 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining N43?

N43 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is N43 and does age affect safety?

N43 was built in 1961, making it 65 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.