US Bridges

West Bethany Road over Little Tonawanda Crk

Fair

Genesee County, New York · 3.5 Miles NW of Bethany · Structure no. 000000003315850

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
54 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
394
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

West Bethany Road over Little Tonawanda Crk is a steel culvert carrying West Bethany Road over Little Tonawanda Crk in Genesee 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 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 394 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 552 by 2041. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWest Bethany Road
CrossesLittle Tonawanda Crk
Location3.5 Miles NW of Bethany
CountyGenesee County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.92678, -78.1925
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
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating77.7 US tons
Inventory rating33.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic394 (2021)
Projected traffic552 by 2041
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$841,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was West Bethany Road over Little Tonawanda Crk built?

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

What condition is West Bethany Road over Little Tonawanda Crk 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does West Bethany Road over Little Tonawanda Crk carry?

About 394 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is West Bethany Road over Little Tonawanda Crk?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns West Bethany Road over Little Tonawanda Crk?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.