US Bridges

Slippery Elm Shoot over Bear Creek

Fair

Brown County, Indiana · 0.01 Mi. W. Bear Creek RD · Structure no. 0700097

Built
1986
39 years old, rebuilt 2012
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
50 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Slippery Elm Shoot over Bear Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Slippery Elm Shoot over Bear Creek in Brown County, Indiana. It was built in 1986 and reconstructed in 2012, so it is 39 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, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 150 by 2041. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSlippery Elm Shoot
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.01 Mi. W. Bear Creek RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBrown County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.27719, -86.34567
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating53.2 US tons
Inventory rating31.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 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 Slippery Elm Shoot over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2012.

What condition is Slippery Elm Shoot 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 Slippery Elm Shoot over Bear Creek carry?

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

How long is Slippery Elm Shoot over Bear Creek?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Slippery Elm Shoot over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.