US Bridges

SR 46 over N Fork Salt Creek

Fair

Brown County, Indiana · 00.11 W SR 135 · Structure no. 017250

Built
1928
97 years old, rebuilt 2009
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
235 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
9,341
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 46 over N Fork Salt Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying SR 46 over N Fork Salt Creek in Brown County, Indiana. It was built in 1928 and reconstructed in 2009, so it is 97 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 6 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 9,341 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,848 by 2031. The structure is 235 ft (71.6 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

CarriesSR 46
CrossesN Fork Salt Creek
Location00.11 W SR 135
RouteState Highway 46
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.20137, -86.24717
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating23.6 US tons
Inventory rating17.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length235 ft (71.6 m)
Longest span155 ft (47.2 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,341 (2021)
Projected traffic11,848 by 2031
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 46 over N Fork Salt Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2009.

What condition is SR 46 over N Fork Salt Creek 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 SR 46 over N Fork Salt Creek carry?

About 9,341 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is SR 46 over N Fork Salt Creek?

The structure is 235 ft (71.6 m) long with a longest span of 155 ft (47.2 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns SR 46 over N Fork Salt Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.