US Bridges

Silver Road over Little Tonawanda

Poor

Genesee County, New York · 1.9 Miles SW of Bethany · Structure no. 000000003315880

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
38 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
244
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Silver Road over Little Tonawanda is a steel culvert carrying Silver Road over Little Tonawanda in Genesee County, New York. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 years old, older than the New York average of 53 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 244 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 342 by 2037. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSilver Road
CrossesLittle Tonawanda
Location1.9 Miles SW of Bethany
CountyGenesee County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.89322, -78.16713
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating79.7 US tons
Inventory rating21.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadOther
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.4 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic244 (2017)
Projected traffic342 by 2037
Trucks7%
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$380,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Silver Road over Little Tonawanda built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Silver Road over Little Tonawanda in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Silver Road over Little Tonawanda carry?

About 244 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Silver Road over Little Tonawanda?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.4 m).

Who owns Silver Road over Little Tonawanda?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.