NORWICH – The deficiency rating for bridge conditions in Chenango County is below New York State’s average, according to Department of Public Works Director Randy Gibbon.

The county’s 141 bridges have a 31 percent deficiency rating versus 40 percent in the state. On a scale of one to seven, with seven being a new structure, any bridge with a 5 or below rating is considered “deficient,” he said.

“Some may be defined as deficient, but they are still safe and very usable for where they are,” Gibbon said. For example, the one lane, Red Mill Hill bridge over the Canasawacta Creek in the Town of Norwich is categorized as deficient because of its low tonnage limit, but that’s the type of traffic that uses it.