US Bridges

County Road 4 over French Creek

Fair

Chautauqua County, New York · 0.8 MI NE of French Creek · Structure no. 000000003324630

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
155 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
304
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 4 over French Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 4 over French Creek in Chautauqua County, New York. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 304 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 426 by 2037. The structure is 155 ft (47.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 4
CrossesFrench Creek
Location0.8 MI NE of French Creek
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyChautauqua County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.07952, -79.69583
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: 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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating87 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length155 ft (47.2 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.6 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic304 (2017)
Projected traffic426 by 2037
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$3.1 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 4 over French Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 4 over French 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 4 over French Creek carry?

About 304 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is County Road 4 over French Creek?

The structure is 155 ft (47.2 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.6 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 4 over French Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.