US Bridges

King Road over Buttermilk Creek

Fair

Tompkins County, New York · At Buttermilk Falls · Structure no. 000000001050270

Built
1929
96 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
70 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,038
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

King Road over Buttermilk Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying King Road over Buttermilk Creek in Tompkins County, New York. It was built in 1929, so it is 96 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 1,038 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,453 by 2041. The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesKing Road
CrossesButtermilk Creek
LocationAt Buttermilk Falls
CountyTompkins County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.41015, -76.51404
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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.6 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length70 ft (21.3 m)
Longest span66 ft (20.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,038 (2021)
Projected traffic1,453 by 2041
Trucks3%
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

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$1.7 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was King Road over Buttermilk Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025.

What condition is King Road over Buttermilk 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does King Road over Buttermilk Creek carry?

About 1,038 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is King Road over Buttermilk Creek?

The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long with a longest span of 66 ft (20.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns King Road over Buttermilk Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.