US Bridges

CR 500 North over Otter Creek

Fair

Ripley County, Indiana · 00.01 E of CR 550 W · Structure no. 6900055

Built
1885
140 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Culvert
Masonry
Length
104 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
150
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 500 North over Otter Creek is a masonry culvert carrying CR 500 North over Otter Creek in Ripley County, Indiana. It was built in 1885, so it is 140 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 150 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 225 by 2042. The structure is 104 ft (31.6 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 500 North
CrossesOtter Creek
Location00.01 E of CR 550 W
RouteCounty Highway 42
CountyRipley County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.14793, -85.36215
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating35.9 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length104 ft (31.6 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic150 (2024)
Projected traffic225 by 2042
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$500,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 500 North over Otter Creek built?

It was built in 1885, making it 140 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 500 North over Otter 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does CR 500 North over Otter Creek carry?

About 150 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is CR 500 North over Otter Creek?

The structure is 104 ft (31.6 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns CR 500 North over Otter Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.