US Bridges

CR 500 S over Back Creek

Poor

Wabash County, Indiana · 00.20 W of CR 600 E · Structure no. 8500365

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
53 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
600
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 500 S over Back Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying CR 500 S over Back Creek in Wabash County, Indiana. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 years old, younger 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.

It carries about 600 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 875 by 2042. The structure is 53 ft (16.3 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 500 S
CrossesBack Creek
Location00.20 W of CR 600 E
RouteCounty Highway 32
CountyWabash County
StateIndiana
Coordinates40.75437, -85.68319
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating38.9 US tons
Inventory rating22.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length53 ft (16.3 m)
Longest span46 ft (14.1 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic600 (2022)
Projected traffic875 by 2042
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 proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$375,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 500 S over Back Creek built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 500 S over Back 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does CR 500 S over Back Creek carry?

About 600 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is CR 500 S over Back Creek?

The structure is 53 ft (16.3 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14.1 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns CR 500 S over Back Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.