US Bridges

West Lowell RD over Driftwood River

Fair

Bartholomew County, Indiana · 00.26 W of CR 250 W · Structure no. 0300142

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
440 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
4,080
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

West Lowell RD over Driftwood River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying West Lowell RD over Driftwood River in Bartholomew County, Indiana. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 years old, older than the Indiana average of 46.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 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 4,080 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,150 by 2038. The structure is 440 ft (134.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 7.5 mi (12 km).

Location

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CarriesWest Lowell RD
CrossesDriftwood River
Location00.26 W of CR 250 W
RouteCounty Highway 188
CountyBartholomew County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.23981, -85.97142
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating19 US tons
Inventory rating14.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadH 20
Structure length440 ft (134.1 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,080 (2022)
Projected traffic6,150 by 2038
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed7.5 mi (12 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$8.6 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was West Lowell RD over Driftwood River built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is West Lowell RD over Driftwood River 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does West Lowell RD over Driftwood River carry?

About 4,080 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is West Lowell RD over Driftwood River?

The structure is 440 ft (134.1 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns West Lowell RD over Driftwood River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.