US Bridges

Central Avenue over Willow Creek

Fair

Porter County, Indiana · 00.20 SW Swanson RD · Structure no. 6400113

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
47 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
8,390
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Central Avenue over Willow Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Central Avenue over Willow Creek in Porter County, Indiana. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 8,390 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,860 by 2038. The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCentral Avenue
CrossesWillow Creek
Location00.20 SW Swanson RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountyPorter County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.57597, -87.19956
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating48.6 US tons
Inventory rating37.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length47 ft (14.3 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,390 (2018)
Projected traffic15,860 by 2038
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Central Avenue over Willow Creek built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Central Avenue over Willow 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Central Avenue over Willow Creek carry?

About 8,390 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Central Avenue over Willow Creek?

The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Central Avenue over Willow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.