US Bridges

Range Road over Smith Ditch

Fair

Starke County, Indiana · 00.01 S CR 500 S · Structure no. 7500044

Built
1999
26 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
41 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
875
2016 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Range Road over Smith Ditch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Range Road over Smith Ditch in Starke County, Indiana. It was built in 1999, so it is 26 years old, younger 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 6 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 875 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,250 by 2036. The structure is 41 ft (12.6 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRange Road
CrossesSmith Ditch
Location00.01 S CR 500 S
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyStarke County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.22992, -86.69836
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating48.3 US tons
Inventory rating37.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length41 ft (12.6 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic875 (2016)
Projected traffic1,250 by 2036
Trucks5%
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 Range Road over Smith Ditch built?

It was built in 1999, making it 26 years old in 2025.

What condition is Range Road over Smith Ditch 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 Range Road over Smith Ditch carry?

About 875 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Range Road over Smith Ditch?

The structure is 41 ft (12.6 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Range Road over Smith Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.