US Bridges

Sawdey Road over Madison Creek

Fair

Chemung County, New York · 3.1 MI SW of Pine Valley · Structure no. 000000003331640

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sawdey Road over Madison Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sawdey Road over Madison Creek in Chemung County, New York. It was built in 1946, so it is 79 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 19% of them trucks, projected to reach 420 by 2038. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 7.5 mi (12 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSawdey Road
CrossesMadison Creek
Location3.1 MI SW of Pine Valley
CountyChemung County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.21567, -76.90144
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadOther
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2018)
Projected traffic420 by 2038
Trucks19%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed7.5 mi (12 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$533,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sawdey Road over Madison Creek built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sawdey Road over Madison 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Sawdey Road over Madison Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 19% are trucks.

How long is Sawdey Road over Madison Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Sawdey Road over Madison Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.