US Bridges

Pople Road over Sterling Creek

Fair

Cayuga County, New York · 0.4MI SE JCT US104<NYS38 · Structure no. 000000003311840

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
21 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
388
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pople Road over Sterling Creek is a steel culvert carrying Pople Road over Sterling Creek in Cayuga County, New York. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 388 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 543 by 2040. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPople Road
CrossesSterling Creek
Location0.4MI SE JCT US104<NYS38
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCayuga County
StateNew York
Coordinates43.25016, -76.63931
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating82.8 US tons
Inventory rating21.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span20 ft (6 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic388 (2020)
Projected traffic543 by 2040
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$163,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Pople Road over Sterling Creek built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pople Road over Sterling Creek 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 Pople Road over Sterling Creek carry?

About 388 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Pople Road over Sterling Creek?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6 m).

Who owns Pople Road over Sterling Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.