US Bridges

Central Avenue over Burns Ditch

Fair

Lake County, Indiana · 00.60 W. of Clay ST · Structure no. 4500126

Built
1993
32 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
145 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,006
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Central Avenue over Burns Ditch is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Central Avenue over Burns Ditch in Lake County, Indiana. It was built in 1993, so it is 32 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 5 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 4,006 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,889 by 2038. The structure is 145 ft (44.1 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

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CarriesCentral Avenue
CrossesBurns Ditch
Location00.60 W. of Clay ST
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLake County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.57438, -87.28941
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length145 ft (44.1 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.2 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,006 (2018)
Projected traffic4,889 by 2038
Trucks3%
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$404,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Central Avenue over Burns Ditch built?

It was built in 1993, making it 32 years old in 2025.

What condition is Central Avenue over Burns 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 Central Avenue over Burns Ditch carry?

About 4,006 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Central Avenue over Burns Ditch?

The structure is 145 ft (44.1 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns Central Avenue over Burns Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.