A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
Fetching data from the National Bridge Inventory...
over COMB ST79 & TAUNTON RIV
FALL RIVER/SOMERSET LINE
Parametric wireframe generated from real NBI dimensions. Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom.
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This bridge has a Fair overall condition rating of 5 out of 9. While it is not classified as structurally deficient, it shows some deterioration that is being monitored.
The bridge carries 81,260 vehicles per day and is 61 years old (reconstructed in 2016).
Its sufficiency rating of 64.9 is above the national average of 63.6.
The NBI records a navigation clearance of 135 feet — the minimum vertical space below the bridge deck. The total height of the bridge structure (including towers, railings, and superstructure) may be higher.
For travelers with bridge anxiety
This bridge has some features that may be challenging for travelers with bridge anxiety. See the tips below for a more comfortable crossing.
This bridge is 5780 feet long — an extended crossing, several minutes.
A truss bridge — the steel framework can provide a sense of enclosure.
About 135 feet above ground — a high bridge with significant elevation.
About 81,260 vehicles cross daily — heavy traffic, congestion likely during rush hours.
The deck is 101 feet wide with multiple lanes — easy to stay in a center lane.
This bridge crosses over water. Focus on the road ahead — the water is far below.
This comfort score is designed to help individuals with bridge anxiety plan their travel. All bridges in the National Bridge Inventory are regularly inspected and deemed safe for travel. This is not medical advice — if you experience severe anxiety, please consult a healthcare professional.
Year Built
1965
61 years old (rebuilt 2016)
Structure Type
Steel Truss (Thru)
Total Length
1.09 mi
1761.7 m
Deck Width
101 ft
30.9 m
Spans
3
sections between supports
Max Span
840 ft
longest unsupported section (256.0 m)
Traffic Lanes
6 lanes
Two-way traffic
Clearance Below
135 ft
navigation clearance under deck
Clearance height compared to familiar objects
Height shown is the navigation clearance below the bridge deck. The total height of the bridge structure (including towers and superstructure) may be higher.
Daily Traffic
81,260vehicles/day
41.70360°N, 71.16025°W
Steel Truss (Thru)
A steel truss bridge uses a framework of interconnected triangular elements. The geometric rigidity of triangles makes this design extremely efficient at distributing loads.
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Data from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Data year: 2025. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as the sole basis for any decisions related to bridge safety or transportation planning. Always consult official sources and local authorities for the most current data.