US Bridges

Union Valley Road over Bucher Ditch

PoorPosted for load

Greene County, Indiana · 0.20 S of SR 157 · Structure no. 2800066

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
110
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Union Valley Road over Bucher Ditch is a concrete channel beam carrying Union Valley Road over Bucher Ditch in Greene County, Indiana. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 years old, older than the Indiana average of 46.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 110 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 140 by 2031. The structure is 40 ft (12.1 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

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CarriesUnion Valley Road
CrossesBucher Ditch
Location0.20 S of SR 157
RouteCounty Highway 295
CountyGreene County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.10045, -86.93311
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating56.5 US tons
Inventory rating33.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.1 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic110 (2011)
Projected traffic140 by 2031
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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$1.7 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Union Valley Road over Bucher Ditch built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is Union Valley Road over Bucher Ditch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does Union Valley Road over Bucher Ditch carry?

About 110 vehicles per day (2011 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Union Valley Road over Bucher Ditch?

The structure is 40 ft (12.1 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Union Valley Road over Bucher Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.