US Bridges

Back Road over Kessinger Ditch

Good

Knox County, Indiana · 00.77 W of Petersburg Roa · Structure no. 4200100

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 2012
Condition
Good
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
75 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
130
2016 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Back Road over Kessinger Ditch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Back Road over Kessinger Ditch in Knox County, Indiana. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 2012, so it is 105 years old, older than the Indiana average of 46.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 130 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 170 by 2036. The structure is 75 ft (22.8 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBack Road
CrossesKessinger Ditch
Location00.77 W of Petersburg Roa
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyKnox County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.58768, -87.30406
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating75.7 US tons
Inventory rating58.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length75 ft (22.8 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.2 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic130 (2016)
Projected traffic170 by 2036
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Back Road over Kessinger Ditch built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2012.

What condition is Back Road over Kessinger Ditch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does Back Road over Kessinger Ditch carry?

About 130 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Back Road over Kessinger Ditch?

The structure is 75 ft (22.8 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.2 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Back Road over Kessinger Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.