US Bridges

Rochester RD over Elkhart River

Fair

Noble County, Indiana · 00.32 N of Grand Army of · Structure no. 5700037

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
90 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
680
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rochester RD over Elkhart River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Rochester RD over Elkhart River in Noble County, Indiana. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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.

It carries about 680 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,090 by 2041. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRochester RD
CrossesElkhart River
Location00.32 N of Grand Army of
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyNoble County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.45691, -85.56722
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating41.1 US tons
Inventory rating31.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span86 ft (26.2 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic680 (2021)
Projected traffic1,090 by 2041
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.2 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rochester RD over Elkhart River built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rochester RD over Elkhart River 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Rochester RD over Elkhart River carry?

About 680 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Rochester RD over Elkhart River?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 86 ft (26.2 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Rochester RD over Elkhart River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.