US Bridges

Spades Road over Ripley Creek

Fair

Ripley County, Indiana · 00.22 S of CR 1000 N · Structure no. 6900082

Built
1880
145 years old, rebuilt 1980
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
350
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Spades Road over Ripley Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying Spades Road over Ripley Creek in Ripley County, Indiana. It was built in 1880 and reconstructed in 1980, so it is 145 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 350 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 500 by 2042. The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSpades Road
CrossesRipley Creek
Location00.22 S of CR 1000 N
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRipley County
StateIndiana
Coordinates39.21872, -85.1321
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating35.9 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length52 ft (15.8 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic350 (2022)
Projected traffic500 by 2042
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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 Spades Road over Ripley Creek built?

It was built in 1880, making it 145 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1980.

What condition is Spades Road over Ripley 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 Spades Road over Ripley Creek carry?

About 350 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Spades Road over Ripley Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Spades Road over Ripley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.