US Bridges

Richards Road over Bear Creek

FairPosted for load

Brown County, Indiana · 0.30 Mi. N. Bear Creek RD · Structure no. 0700006

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Culvert
Aluminum, Wrought Iron, or Cast Iron
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Richards Road over Bear Creek is a aluminum, wrought iron, or cast iron culvert carrying Richards Road over Bear Creek in Brown County, Indiana. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 100 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 150 by 2041. The structure is 24 ft (7.4 m) long and 63 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

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CarriesRichards Road
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.30 Mi. N. Bear Creek RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBrown County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.30911, -86.34169
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating28.8 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialAluminum, Wrought Iron, or Cast Iron
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length24 ft (7.4 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.2 m)
Deck width63 ft (19.2 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2023)
Projected traffic150 by 2041
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Richards Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is Richards Road over Bear 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Richards Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Richards Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.4 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.2 m) and a deck 63 ft wide.

Who owns Richards Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.