US Bridges

RTE I86 over Chautauqua Lake

Fair

Chautauqua County, New York · At Oriental Park · Structure no. 00000000109181A

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
475 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
12,649
2014 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

RTE I86 over Chautauqua Lake is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying RTE I86 over Chautauqua Lake in Chautauqua County, New York. It was built in 1982, so it is 43 years old, younger 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 6 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 12,649 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 17,709 by 2034. The structure is 475 ft (144.8 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

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CarriesRTE I86
CrossesChautauqua Lake
LocationAt Oriental Park
RouteInterstate 86
CountyChautauqua County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.15218, -79.38479
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating87 US tons
Inventory rating38 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length475 ft (144.8 m)
Longest span162 ft (49.4 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.1 m)
Roadway width46 ft (14.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,649 (2014)
Projected traffic17,709 by 2034
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$14.3 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was RTE I86 over Chautauqua Lake built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025.

What condition is RTE I86 over Chautauqua Lake 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does RTE I86 over Chautauqua Lake carry?

About 12,649 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is RTE I86 over Chautauqua Lake?

The structure is 475 ft (144.8 m) long with a longest span of 162 ft (49.4 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns RTE I86 over Chautauqua Lake?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.