US Bridges

Falls Road over Taughannock Creek

Fair

Tompkins County, New York · 2 MI N of Jacksonville · Structure no. 000000003314450

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
81 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
788
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Falls Road over Taughannock Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Falls Road over Taughannock Creek in Tompkins County, New York. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 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 788 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,103 by 2039. The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFalls Road
CrossesTaughannock Creek
Location2 MI N of Jacksonville
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTompkins County
StateNew York
Coordinates42.53245, -76.61647
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
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.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating65.6 US tons
Inventory rating16.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length81 ft (24.7 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic788 (2019)
Projected traffic1,103 by 2039
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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$2.5 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Falls Road over Taughannock Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is Falls Road over Taughannock 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 2024.

How much traffic does Falls Road over Taughannock Creek carry?

About 788 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Falls Road over Taughannock Creek?

The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Falls Road over Taughannock Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.