US Bridges

129th Avenue over Niles Ditch

Poor

Lake County, Indiana · 01.00 W of Gibson St. · Structure no. 4500031

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

129th Avenue over Niles Ditch is a concrete channel beam carrying 129th Avenue over Niles Ditch in Lake County, Indiana. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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.

It carries about 5 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 7 by 2040. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries129th Avenue
CrossesNiles Ditch
Location01.00 W of Gibson St.
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLake County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.38369, -87.28833
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, 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 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating69 US tons
Inventory rating41.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2012)
Projected traffic7 by 2040
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$225,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 129th Avenue over Niles Ditch built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is 129th Avenue over Niles Ditch 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 2024.

How much traffic does 129th Avenue over Niles Ditch carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is 129th Avenue over Niles Ditch?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns 129th Avenue over Niles Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.