US Bridges

Schell Road over Fox Creek

Fair

Schoharie County, New York · 2.0 MI NW of Berne · Structure no. 000000002228690

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
122 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
65
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Schell Road over Fox Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Schell Road over Fox Creek in Schoharie County, New York. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 years old, younger 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 65 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 91 by 2037. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSchell Road
CrossesFox Creek
Location2.0 MI NW of Berne
CountySchoharie County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.64018, -74.18943
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.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating87 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)
Longest span120 ft (36.5 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic65 (2017)
Projected traffic91 by 2037
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$3.1 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Schell Road over Fox Creek built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is Schell Road over Fox 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 2023.

How much traffic does Schell Road over Fox Creek carry?

About 65 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is Schell Road over Fox Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 120 ft (36.5 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Schell Road over Fox Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.