US Bridges

SR 46 over North Fork Salt Creek

Fair

Brown County, Indiana · 00.99 E SR 135 · Structure no. 017270

Built
1964
61 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
186 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
11,699
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 46 over North Fork Salt Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying SR 46 over North Fork Salt Creek in Brown County, Indiana. It was built in 1964 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 61 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 11,699 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 16,650 by 2040. The structure is 186 ft (56.6 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

CarriesSR 46
CrossesNorth Fork Salt Creek
Location00.99 E SR 135
RouteState Highway 46
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.20092, -86.22867
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating89.9 US tons
Inventory rating53.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length186 ft (56.6 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.2 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width39 ft (11.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,699 (2020)
Projected traffic16,650 by 2040
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 North Fork Salt Creek built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

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

About 11,699 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is SR 46 over North Fork Salt Creek?

The structure is 186 ft (56.6 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.2 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns SR 46 over North Fork Salt Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.