US Bridges

Yale RD over Lake Ditch

FairPosted for load

Morgan County, Indiana · 00.17 W of Herbemont RD · Structure no. 5500080

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
71 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
90
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Yale RD over Lake Ditch is a steel truss - thru carrying Yale RD over Lake Ditch in Morgan County, Indiana. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 years old, older 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 90 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 180 by 2043. The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

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CarriesYale RD
CrossesLake Ditch
Location00.17 W of Herbemont RD
RouteCounty Highway 34
CountyMorgan County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.55749, -86.5671
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating33.4 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length71 ft (21.6 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width16 ft (5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic90 (2023)
Projected traffic180 by 2043
Trucks5%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.2 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Yale RD over Lake Ditch built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Yale RD over Lake 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 Yale RD over Lake Ditch carry?

About 90 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Yale RD over Lake Ditch?

The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Yale RD over Lake Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.