US Bridges

RTE 42 over Bushnellsville Creek

Fair

Ulster County, New York · .8 MI N JCT SH 42 & SH 28 · Structure no. 000000001025160

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
77 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
956
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

RTE 42 over Bushnellsville Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying RTE 42 over Bushnellsville Creek in Ulster County, New York. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 87 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 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 956 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 997 by 2041. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 15.5 mi (25 km).

CarriesRTE 42
CrossesBushnellsville Creek
Location.8 MI N JCT SH 42 & SH 28
RouteState Highway 42
Coordinates42.12838, -74.40393
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating81 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic956 (2021)
Projected traffic997 by 2041
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed15.5 mi (25 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$3 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was RTE 42 over Bushnellsville Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is RTE 42 over Bushnellsville 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does RTE 42 over Bushnellsville Creek carry?

About 956 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is RTE 42 over Bushnellsville Creek?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns RTE 42 over Bushnellsville Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.