US Bridges

Friends Creek Road over Friends Creek

PoorPosted for load

Martin County, Indiana · 0.58 N Brooks Bridge Road · Structure no. 5100034

Built
1910
115 years old, rebuilt 1992
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
45 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
52
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Friends Creek Road over Friends Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Friends Creek Road over Friends Creek in Martin County, Indiana. It was built in 1910 and reconstructed in 1992, so it is 115 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 52 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 64 by 2032. The structure is 45 ft (13.8 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5.6 mi (9 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFriends Creek Road
CrossesFriends Creek
Location0.58 N Brooks Bridge Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMartin County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.62547, -86.90045
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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating24.1 US tons
Inventory rating14.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length45 ft (13.8 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.1 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.6 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic52 (2007)
Projected traffic64 by 2032
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5.6 mi (9 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$450,000 (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Friends Creek Road over Friends Creek built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1992.

What condition is Friends Creek Road over Friends 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Friends Creek Road over Friends Creek carry?

About 52 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Friends Creek Road over Friends Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.8 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.1 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Friends Creek Road over Friends Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.