US Bridges

Ryther Road over Big Sister Creek

FairPosted for load

Erie County, New York · 2.25 Miles SW of Angola · Structure no. 000000003327860

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
77 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
85
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ryther Road over Big Sister Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Ryther Road over Big Sister Creek in Erie County, New York. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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. Its operating status is: posted for other load-capacity restriction.

It carries about 85 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 119 by 2041. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesRyther Road
CrossesBig Sister Creek
Location2.25 Miles SW of Angola
CountyErie County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.63349, -78.9823
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for other load-capacity 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 rating75 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.5 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic85 (2021)
Projected traffic119 by 2041
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$2.7 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ryther Road over Big Sister Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ryther Road over Big Sister 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Ryther Road over Big Sister Creek carry?

About 85 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Ryther Road over Big Sister Creek?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.5 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Ryther Road over Big Sister Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.