US Bridges

North Shore Drive over Bear Creek

Fair

Brown County, Indiana · 0.1 Mi. W. Bear Creek RD · Structure no. 0700008

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete
Length
67 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
100
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

North Shore Drive over Bear Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - single or spread carrying North Shore Drive over Bear Creek in Brown County, Indiana. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 years old, younger 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 100 vehicles a day, projected to reach 175 by 2041. The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNorth Shore Drive
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.1 Mi. W. Bear Creek RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBrown County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.26509, -86.3391
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionOctober 2023
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating61.6 US tons
Inventory rating36.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length67 ft (20.4 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2021)
Projected traffic175 by 2041
Trucks0%
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 proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$200,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was North Shore Drive over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is North Shore Drive 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 North Shore Drive over Bear Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is North Shore Drive over Bear Creek?

The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns North Shore Drive over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.