US Bridges

Sand Road over Black Creek

PoorPosted for load

Knox County, Indiana · 00.65 W of Pahmeier Road · Structure no. 4200208

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
122 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
153
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sand Road over Black Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Sand Road over Black Creek in Knox County, Indiana. It was built in 1920, 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 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 153 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 204 by 2041. The structure is 122 ft (37.3 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSand Road
CrossesBlack Creek
Location00.65 W of Pahmeier Road
RouteCounty Highway 399
CountyKnox County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.88543, -87.17764
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.
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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating32.7 US tons
Inventory rating19.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length122 ft (37.3 m)
Longest span119 ft (36.2 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck15 ft (4.6 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic153 (2021)
Projected traffic204 by 2041
Trucks1%
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$1.8 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sand Road over Black Creek built?

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

What condition is Sand Road over Black Creek 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Sand Road over Black Creek carry?

About 153 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Sand Road over Black Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.3 m) long with a longest span of 119 ft (36.2 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Sand Road over Black Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.