US Bridges

CR 550N over Tough Creek

Poor

Bartholomew County, Indiana · 01.40 E CR 250 E · Structure no. 0300086

Built
1956
69 years old, rebuilt 1985
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
108 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
230
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 550N over Tough Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying CR 550N over Tough Creek in Bartholomew County, Indiana. It was built in 1956 and reconstructed in 1985, so it is 69 years old, older than the Indiana average of 46.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 230 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 350 by 2038. The structure is 108 ft (32.9 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 550N
CrossesTough Creek
Location01.40 E CR 250 E
RouteCounty Highway 448
CountyBartholomew County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.28273, -85.84008
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length108 ft (32.9 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic230 (2022)
Projected traffic350 by 2038
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 550N over Tough Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1985.

What condition is CR 550N over Tough Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does CR 550N over Tough Creek carry?

About 230 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is CR 550N over Tough Creek?

The structure is 108 ft (32.9 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns CR 550N over Tough Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.