US Bridges

Howe Road over Little Calumet River

Fair

Porter County, Indiana · 00.50 SE Oak Hill RD · Structure no. 6400129

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
77 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
160
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Howe Road over Little Calumet River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Howe Road over Little Calumet River in Porter County, Indiana. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 160 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 300 by 2038. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesHowe Road
CrossesLittle Calumet River
Location00.50 SE Oak Hill RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountyPorter County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.62246, -87.09461
Functional classUrban 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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating34.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic160 (2018)
Projected traffic300 by 2038
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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 Howe Road over Little Calumet River built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Howe Road over Little Calumet 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 Howe Road over Little Calumet River carry?

About 160 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Howe Road over Little Calumet River?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Howe Road over Little Calumet River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.