US Bridges

Beechwood Avenue over Branch French Lick Creek

PoorPosted for load

Orange County, Indiana · 0.10 E of SR 56 · Structure no. 5900099

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
900
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Beechwood Avenue over Branch French Lick Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Beechwood Avenue over Branch French Lick Creek in Orange County, Indiana. It was built in 1925, so it is 100 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 900 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,100 by 2034. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesBeechwood Avenue
CrossesBranch French Lick Creek
Location0.10 E of SR 56
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOrange County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.55757, -86.61139
Functional classUrban 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, 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 inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating35.5 US tons
Inventory rating21.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.2 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic900 (2014)
Projected traffic1,100 by 2034
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$1.3 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Beechwood Avenue over Branch French Lick Creek built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025.

What condition is Beechwood Avenue over Branch French Lick 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Beechwood Avenue over Branch French Lick Creek carry?

About 900 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Beechwood Avenue over Branch French Lick Creek?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns Beechwood Avenue over Branch French Lick Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.