US Bridges

Mays Road over Plass Ditch

FairPosted for load

Knox County, Indiana · 00.59 E of US 41 · Structure no. 4200046

Built
1925
100 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
87 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
154
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mays Road over Plass Ditch is a steel truss - thru carrying Mays Road over Plass Ditch in Knox County, Indiana. It was built in 1925 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 100 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 154 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 208 by 2041. The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesMays Road
CrossesPlass Ditch
Location00.59 E of US 41
RouteCounty Highway 12
CountyKnox County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.53137, -87.52688
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.
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating24.9 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length87 ft (26.5 m)
Longest span84 ft (25.6 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic154 (2021)
Projected traffic208 by 2041
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mays Road over Plass Ditch built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is Mays Road over Plass 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Mays Road over Plass Ditch carry?

About 154 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Mays Road over Plass Ditch?

The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long with a longest span of 84 ft (25.6 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Mays Road over Plass Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.