US Bridges

CR 50W over Kankakee River

Fair

Porter County, Indiana · 00.50 S CR 1050 S · Structure no. 6400037

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
169 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
320
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 50W over Kankakee River is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying CR 50W over Kankakee River in Porter County, Indiana. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 95 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.

It carries about 320 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 600 by 2038. The structure is 169 ft (51.5 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13.7 mi (22 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 50W
CrossesKankakee River
Location00.50 S CR 1050 S
RouteCounty Highway 53
CountyPorter County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.27307, -87.07317
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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 inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating46.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length169 ft (51.5 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.9 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic320 (2018)
Projected traffic600 by 2038
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13.7 mi (22 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 50W over Kankakee River built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is CR 50W over Kankakee 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does CR 50W over Kankakee River carry?

About 320 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is CR 50W over Kankakee River?

The structure is 169 ft (51.5 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.9 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns CR 50W over Kankakee River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.