US Bridges

Big Bend RD over Crooked Creek

Poor

Morgan County, Indiana · 00.47 W of Waverly RD · Structure no. 5500101

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
54 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
360
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Big Bend RD over Crooked Creek is a wood or timber slab carrying Big Bend RD over Crooked Creek in Morgan County, Indiana. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger 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 360 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 630 by 2043. The structure is 54 ft (16.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBig Bend RD
CrossesCrooked Creek
Location00.47 W of Waverly RD
RouteCounty Highway 174
CountyMorgan County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.52787, -86.27823
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating34.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length54 ft (16.4 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic360 (2023)
Projected traffic630 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$2.5 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Big Bend RD over Crooked Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Big Bend RD over Crooked 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Big Bend RD over Crooked Creek carry?

About 360 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Big Bend RD over Crooked Creek?

The structure is 54 ft (16.4 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Big Bend RD over Crooked Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.