US Bridges

Firemen Road over Branch of Deshee River

Fair

Knox County, Indiana · 00.64 W of US 41 · Structure no. 4200042

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
130
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Firemen Road over Branch of Deshee River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Firemen Road over Branch of Deshee River in Knox County, Indiana. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 130 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 170 by 2035. The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFiremen Road
CrossesBranch of Deshee River
Location00.64 W of US 41
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyKnox County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.56092, -87.55045
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.7 US tons
Inventory rating32.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length34 ft (10.3 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic130 (2015)
Projected traffic170 by 2035
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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$465,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Firemen Road over Branch of Deshee River built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Firemen Road over Branch of Deshee 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 2023.

How much traffic does Firemen Road over Branch of Deshee River carry?

About 130 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Firemen Road over Branch of Deshee River?

The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Firemen Road over Branch of Deshee River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.