US Bridges

West 238th Street over RTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam

Fair

Bronx County, New York · 3.1 Miles North I87 & I95 · Structure no. 000000001067000

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
173 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,352
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

West 238th Street over RTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying West 238th Street over RTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam in Bronx County, New York. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 years old, older than the New York average of 53 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 1,352 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,653 by 2041. The structure is 173 ft (52.7 m) long and 82 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWest 238th Street
CrossesRTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam
Location3.1 Miles North I87 & I95
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBronx County
StateNew York
Coordinates40.88433, -73.8985
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating51 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length173 ft (52.7 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width82 ft (25.1 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,352 (2020)
Projected traffic2,653 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$15.6 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was West 238th Street over RTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is West 238th Street over RTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does West 238th Street over RTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam carry?

About 1,352 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is West 238th Street over RTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam?

The structure is 173 ft (52.7 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 82 ft wide.

Who owns West 238th Street over RTE I87 Ex-Nycrr Putnam?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.