FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

S48A

Carrying S48A over STREAM

STEELE CITY, Jefferson, Nebraska

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
21 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: S48A

The S48A bridge in Jefferson, Nebraska carries S48A over STREAM. It was built in 1956, making it 70 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 18.6 meters (61 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 310 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Nebraska bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 3/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 6/9. 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 21.0 metric tons.

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

How S48A compares

▼ 6.7
Load rating vs Nebraska average (27.7 t)
Bottom 21%
Lower load rating than 79% of Nebraska bridges
246
Bridges in Jefferson · 54 in Poor condition
S48A 21.0 t
Nebraska average 27.7 t

Live comparison across Nebraska.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
60.0 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
32.5
Serviceability /30
18.0
Essentiality /15
11.8
Special reductions
−2.3

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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
3/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
21.0 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1956
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
18.6 m (61 ft)
Deck Width
9.3 m (31 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
310 vehicles/day
Structure Number
SS48A00015

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in poor condition (3/9), showing advanced deterioration that may require priority repair.
  • At 5/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • At 6/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

S48A 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 S48A against other structures in Jefferson 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 S48A?

S48A in Jefferson, Nebraska has a deck rating of 3/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is S48A inspected?

S48A'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 310 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. S48A 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 S48A?

S48A has an NBI inventory load rating of 21.0 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining S48A?

S48A is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is S48A and does age affect safety?

S48A was built in 1956, making it 70 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.