US Bridges

CR 16 over Little Elkhart River

Fair

Elkhart County, Indiana · 00.20 E of SR 13 · Structure no. 2000092

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
122 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,286
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 16 over Little Elkhart River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying CR 16 over Little Elkhart River in Elkhart County, Indiana. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 3,286 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,660 by 2039. The structure is 122 ft (37.1 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5.6 mi (9 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 16
CrossesLittle Elkhart River
Location00.20 E of SR 13
RouteCity Street 902
CountyElkhart County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.67531, -85.70009
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating35.7 US tons
Inventory rating26.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length122 ft (37.1 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.1 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,286 (2019)
Projected traffic5,660 by 2039
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5.6 mi (9 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$4.5 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 16 over Little Elkhart River built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 16 over Little Elkhart 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does CR 16 over Little Elkhart River carry?

About 3,286 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is CR 16 over Little Elkhart River?

The structure is 122 ft (37.1 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.1 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns CR 16 over Little Elkhart River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.