US Bridges

RTE 78 over S Railroad Ditch

Fair

Erie County, New York · 0.2 MI N JCT Rtes 78 & 33 · Structure no. 000000001074910

Built
1992
33 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
27,606
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

RTE 78 over S Railroad Ditch is a concrete culvert carrying RTE 78 over S Railroad Ditch in Erie County, New York. It was built in 1992, so it is 33 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 27,606 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 27,735 by 2041. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesRTE 78
CrossesS Railroad Ditch
Location0.2 MI N JCT Rtes 78 & 33
RouteState Highway 78
CountyErie County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.94146, -78.69695
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating72 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic27,606 (2018)
Projected traffic27,735 by 2041
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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$762,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was RTE 78 over S Railroad Ditch built?

It was built in 1992, making it 33 years old in 2025.

What condition is RTE 78 over S Railroad Ditch 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does RTE 78 over S Railroad Ditch carry?

About 27,606 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is RTE 78 over S Railroad Ditch?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m).

Who owns RTE 78 over S Railroad Ditch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.