US Bridges

Governors Trace over Branch Otter Creek

Fair

Crawford County, Indiana · 0.00 E of Nash Lane · Structure no. 1300020

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 2001
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
250
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Governors Trace over Branch Otter Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Governors Trace over Branch Otter Creek in Crawford County, Indiana. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 2001, so it is 95 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.

It carries about 250 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 320 by 2043. The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGovernors Trace
CrossesBranch Otter Creek
Location0.00 E of Nash Lane
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCrawford County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.30645, -86.54031
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating72.6 US tons
Inventory rating43.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.3 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (2023)
Projected traffic320 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Governors Trace over Branch Otter Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2001.

What condition is Governors Trace over Branch Otter 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Governors Trace over Branch Otter Creek carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Governors Trace over Branch Otter Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Governors Trace over Branch Otter Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.