US Bridges

Shunk RD over Canajoharie Creek

Fair

Montgomery County, New York · 1.1 MI NE of Ames · Structure no. 000000003309790

Built
1939
86 years old, rebuilt 1959
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
73 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
38
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Shunk RD over Canajoharie Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Shunk RD over Canajoharie Creek in Montgomery County, New York. It was built in 1939 and reconstructed in 1959, so it is 86 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 38 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 53 by 2041. The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

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CarriesShunk RD
CrossesCanajoharie Creek
Location1.1 MI NE of Ames
CountyMontgomery County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.84524, -74.59009
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length73 ft (22.3 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic38 (2021)
Projected traffic53 by 2041
Trucks2%
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$740,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Shunk RD over Canajoharie Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1959.

What condition is Shunk RD over Canajoharie 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Shunk RD over Canajoharie Creek carry?

About 38 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Shunk RD over Canajoharie Creek?

The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Shunk RD over Canajoharie Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.