US Bridges

RTE I81 over N Townsend Street

Fair

Onondaga County, New York · JCT of I-81 NB + I-690 EB · Structure no. 000000001053870

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
74 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
74,401
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

RTE I81 over N Townsend Street is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying RTE I81 over N Townsend Street in Onondaga County, New York. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 74,401 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 107,323 by 2041. The structure is 74 ft (22.6 m) long and 56 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

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CarriesRTE I81
CrossesN Townsend Street
LocationJCT of I-81 NB + I-690 EB
RouteInterstate 81
CountyOnondaga County
StateNew York
Coordinates43.05134, -76.14555
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating59 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length74 ft (22.6 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width56 ft (17.1 m)
Roadway width51 ft (15.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic74,401 (2020)
Projected traffic107,323 by 2041
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure3
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$2.8 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was RTE I81 over N Townsend Street built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is RTE I81 over N Townsend Street 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 RTE I81 over N Townsend Street carry?

About 74,401 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is RTE I81 over N Townsend Street?

The structure is 74 ft (22.6 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 56 ft wide.

Who owns RTE I81 over N Townsend Street?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.