US Bridges

CR 500 West over Mchargue Ditch

Fair

Jackson County, Indiana · 0.01 S of Base Road · Structure no. 3600133

Built
1926
99 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
60
2013 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 500 West over Mchargue Ditch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying CR 500 West over Mchargue Ditch in Jackson County, Indiana. It was built in 1926 and reconstructed in 1988, so it is 99 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 60 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 100 by 2033. The structure is 42 ft (12.9 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 500 West
CrossesMchargue Ditch
Location0.01 S of Base Road
RouteCounty Highway 23
CountyJackson County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.87646, -86.13187
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating58.5 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length42 ft (12.9 m)
Longest span36 ft (10.9 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2013)
Projected traffic100 by 2033
Trucks5%
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 CR 500 West over Mchargue Ditch built?

It was built in 1926, making it 99 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is CR 500 West over Mchargue Ditch 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does CR 500 West over Mchargue Ditch carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is CR 500 West over Mchargue Ditch?

The structure is 42 ft (12.9 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (10.9 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns CR 500 West over Mchargue Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.