US Bridges

Merlau Road over Buffalo Creek

Good

Erie County, New York · 1.6 MI SE of Wales Center · Structure no. 000000003328150

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Good
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
155 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
227
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Merlau Road over Buffalo Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Merlau Road over Buffalo Creek in Erie County, New York. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 years old, younger than the New York average of 53 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 227 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 318 by 2038. The structure is 155 ft (47.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesMerlau Road
CrossesBuffalo Creek
Location1.6 MI SE of Wales Center
CountyErie County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.74829, -78.50824
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating78 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length155 ft (47.2 m)
Longest span150 ft (45.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic227 (2018)
Projected traffic318 by 2038
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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$3 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Merlau Road over Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is Merlau Road over Buffalo Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does Merlau Road over Buffalo Creek carry?

About 227 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Merlau Road over Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 155 ft (47.2 m) long with a longest span of 150 ft (45.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Merlau Road over Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.