US Bridges

RTE 79 over Five Mile Creek

Fair

Tompkins County, New York · 0.7 MI W JCT Rts 79 + 327 · Structure no. 000000001030610

Built
2009
16 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
104 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,902
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

RTE 79 over Five Mile Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying RTE 79 over Five Mile Creek in Tompkins County, New York. It was built in 2009, so it is 16 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 2,902 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,919 by 2041. The structure is 104 ft (31.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRTE 79
CrossesFive Mile Creek
Location0.7 MI W JCT Rts 79 + 327
RouteState Highway 79
CountyTompkins County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.45055, -76.64406
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating96 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length104 ft (31.7 m)
Longest span103 ft (31.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,902 (2018)
Projected traffic2,919 by 2041
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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$2.5 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was RTE 79 over Five Mile Creek built?

It was built in 2009, making it 16 years old in 2025.

What condition is RTE 79 over Five Mile 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 RTE 79 over Five Mile Creek carry?

About 2,902 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is RTE 79 over Five Mile Creek?

The structure is 104 ft (31.7 m) long with a longest span of 103 ft (31.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns RTE 79 over Five Mile Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.