US Bridges

Merrillville Road over Beaver Dam Ditch

Fair

Lake County, Indiana · 00.10 N. of 101st Ave · Structure no. 4500089

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
75 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
6,062
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Merrillville Road over Beaver Dam Ditch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Merrillville Road over Beaver Dam Ditch in Lake County, Indiana. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 years old, younger 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 6,062 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,397 by 2038. The structure is 75 ft (23 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesMerrillville Road
CrossesBeaver Dam Ditch
Location00.10 N. of 101st Ave
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLake County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.43561, -87.35498
Functional classUrban Collector

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 inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60.1 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length75 ft (23 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.3 m)
Roadway width48 ft (14.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,062 (2018)
Projected traffic7,397 by 2038
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$263,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Merrillville Road over Beaver Dam Ditch built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is Merrillville Road over Beaver Dam 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 2024.

How much traffic does Merrillville Road over Beaver Dam Ditch carry?

About 6,062 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Merrillville Road over Beaver Dam Ditch?

The structure is 75 ft (23 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns Merrillville Road over Beaver Dam Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.