US Bridges

Tower RD over Branch of Mill Creek

FairPosted for load

Owen County, Indiana · 0.2 S of Fidlers RD · Structure no. 6000015

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
530
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tower RD over Branch of Mill Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Tower RD over Branch of Mill Creek in Owen 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 6 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 530 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 720 by 2043. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTower RD
CrossesBranch of Mill Creek
Location0.2 S of Fidlers RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOwen County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.43023, -86.75302
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating19.7 US tons
Inventory rating19.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.1 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic530 (2023)
Projected traffic720 by 2043
Trucks3%
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$774,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tower RD over Branch of Mill Creek built?

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

What condition is Tower RD over Branch of Mill Creek 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Tower RD over Branch of Mill Creek carry?

About 530 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Tower RD over Branch of Mill Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.1 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Tower RD over Branch of Mill Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.