US Bridges

Bear Creek Road over Indian Creek

FairPosted for load

Brown County, Indiana · 1.6 Mi. N. Bear Creek Rd. · Structure no. 0700061

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
22 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
275
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bear Creek Road over Indian Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bear Creek Road over Indian Creek in Brown County, Indiana. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 275 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2041. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBear Creek Road
CrossesIndian Creek
Location1.6 Mi. N. Bear Creek Rd.
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBrown County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.33955, -86.35446
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating26.9 US tons
Inventory rating16.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.2 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic275 (2023)
Projected traffic400 by 2041
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 Bear Creek Road over Indian Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bear Creek Road over Indian 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 Bear Creek Road over Indian Creek carry?

About 275 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Bear Creek Road over Indian Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Bear Creek Road over Indian Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.