US Bridges

RTE I481 over RTE 5

Fair

Onondaga County, New York · JCT of I481 SB & SH 5 · Structure no. 000000001002131

Built
1971
54 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
167 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
30,062
2010 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

RTE I481 over RTE 5 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying RTE I481 over RTE 5 in Onondaga County, New York. It was built in 1971 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 54 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 5 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 30,062 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks. The structure is 167 ft (50.9 m) long and 58 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

CarriesRTE I481
CrossesRTE 5
LocationJCT of I481 SB & SH 5
RouteInterstate 481
Coordinates43.03349, -76.05971
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating78 US tons
Inventory rating47 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length167 ft (50.9 m)
Longest span84 ft (25.6 m)
Deck width58 ft (17.6 m)
Roadway width54 ft (16.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30,062 (2010)
Projected traffic—
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$3.5 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was RTE I481 over RTE 5 built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is RTE I481 over RTE 5 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does RTE I481 over RTE 5 carry?

About 30,062 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is RTE I481 over RTE 5?

The structure is 167 ft (50.9 m) long with a longest span of 84 ft (25.6 m) and a deck 58 ft wide.

Who owns RTE I481 over RTE 5?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.