US Bridges

Cavehill Road over Laughery Creek

PoorPosted for load

Ripley County, Indiana · 00.05 S of CR 425 S · Structure no. 6900009

Built
1910
115 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
161 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
150
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cavehill Road over Laughery Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Cavehill Road over Laughery Creek in Ripley County, Indiana. It was built in 1910, so it is 115 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 150 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 210 by 2042. The structure is 161 ft (49.2 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5.6 mi (9 km).

Location

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CarriesCavehill Road
CrossesLaughery Creek
Location00.05 S of CR 425 S
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRipley County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.00265, -85.18606
Functional classRural 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
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be 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 rating15 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length161 ft (49.2 m)
Longest span77 ft (23.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic150 (2022)
Projected traffic210 by 2042
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5.6 mi (9 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$2 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cavehill Road over Laughery Creek built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cavehill Road over Laughery 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Cavehill Road over Laughery Creek carry?

About 150 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Cavehill Road over Laughery Creek?

The structure is 161 ft (49.2 m) long with a longest span of 77 ft (23.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Cavehill Road over Laughery Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.