US Bridges

SR 42 over Eel River

Fair

Clay County, Indiana · 07.34 E SR 59 · Structure no. 015790

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 1978
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
265 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
819
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 42 over Eel River is a steel truss - thru carrying SR 42 over Eel River in Clay County, Indiana. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1978, so it is 87 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.

It carries about 819 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,177 by 2032. The structure is 265 ft (80.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR 42
CrossesEel River
Location07.34 E SR 59
RouteState Highway 42
CountyClay County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.44431, -86.99373
Functional classRural Major 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 inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating62.3 US tons
Inventory rating37.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 20
Structure length265 ft (80.7 m)
Longest span175 ft (53.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic819 (2021)
Projected traffic1,177 by 2032
Trucks4%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 42 over Eel River built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1978.

What condition is SR 42 over Eel River 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 2023.

How much traffic does SR 42 over Eel River carry?

About 819 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is SR 42 over Eel River?

The structure is 265 ft (80.7 m) long with a longest span of 175 ft (53.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns SR 42 over Eel River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.