US Bridges

Dowden Road over Mississinewa River

Fair

Delaware County, Indiana · 00.35 S of State Street · Structure no. 1800069

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
268 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
890
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Dowden Road over Mississinewa River is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Dowden Road over Mississinewa River in Delaware County, Indiana. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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 890 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,470 by 2043. The structure is 268 ft (81.6 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDowden Road
CrossesMississinewa River
Location00.35 S of State Street
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyDelaware County
StateIndiana
Coordinates40.29421, -85.24857
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
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating35.9 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length268 ft (81.6 m)
Longest span88 ft (26.8 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic890 (2023)
Projected traffic1,470 by 2043
Trucks2%
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.8 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Dowden Road over Mississinewa River built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is Dowden Road over Mississinewa 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Dowden Road over Mississinewa River carry?

About 890 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Dowden Road over Mississinewa River?

The structure is 268 ft (81.6 m) long with a longest span of 88 ft (26.8 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Dowden Road over Mississinewa River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.