US Bridges

County Road 121 over Bear Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, New York · 0.1 MI S of Ellisburg · Structure no. 000000003338390

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
676
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 121 over Bear Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying County Road 121 over Bear Creek in Jefferson County, New York. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 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 676 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 946 by 2037. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5.6 mi (9 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 121
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.1 MI S of Ellisburg
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyJefferson County
StateNew York
Coordinates43.73077, -76.13289
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating57.4 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic676 (2017)
Projected traffic946 by 2037
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5.6 mi (9 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$323,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 121 over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 121 over Bear 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 121 over Bear Creek carry?

About 676 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road 121 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 121 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.