Stewart Avenue Bridge
NBI Information
Location
State: New York
County: Tompkins County
Feature Carried: Stewart Avenue
Feature Crossed: Fall Creek
Latitude, Longitude: 42.4521,-76.4898
Toll: On free road
Maintenance Responsibility: City or Municipal Highway Agency
Structure Open, Posted, or Closed to Traffic: Open, no restriction
History
Year Built: 1951
Historical Significance: Bridge is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Year Reconstructed: 2004
Picture Date: April 7, 2024
Geometry
Lanes on Structure: 2
Lanes under Structure: 0
Skew: 0 degrees
Number of Main Spans: 1
Main Structure Type: Truss - Deck
Main Structure Material: Steel
Number of Approach Spans: 0
Approach Structure Type: None
Approach Structure Material: None
Condition
Inspection Date: September 2021
Deck Condition: Satisfactory
Superstructure Condition: Fair
Substructure Condition: Satisfactory
Channel Condition: Very Good
Culvert: Not Applicable
NBI Year: 2023
Bridge Information
The original Stewart Avenue Bridge was built in 1899 and was a very simple Warren truss. The bridge was replaced in 1951 with a similar deck truss. However, the new bridge was built with more panels and much more robust members. The new truss also has a slight arch to the bottom chord. While this bridge is not particularly old, it is noteworthy because there are very few deck trusses in New York State (the NBI only shows 22 deck trusses across the entire state).
This bridge was renovated in 2004. However, it exhibits substantially more deterioration than would be expected in 20 years. Fortunately, another rehabilitation project is being planned. This project will repair the structural deficiencies and extend the bridge’s useful life. The project will also widen the sidewalks to be ADA-compliant and will utilize a cast-in-place lightweight deck system to minimize the additional dead load. Additionally, the project will realign the approach roadway to improve sightlines. The bridge will be closed to traffic during the construction, but pedestrian access will be maintained. It is anticipated that construction will occur in 2025.
References
Historic Bridges: https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=newyork/stewart/
Pocket Sites: https://pocketsights.com/tours/place/Stewart-Avenue-Bridge-3855:443
The Ithaca Voice: https://ithacavoice.org/2023/09/stewart-avenue-bridge-to-undergo-rehabilitation/
City of Ithaca: https://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/16021/Stewart-Avenue-over-Fall-Creek-Bridge-Rehabilitation?bidId=
Bridges and Tunnels: http://bridgestunnels.com/location/stewart-avenue-bridge/
