US Bridges

SR 256 over Muscatatuck River

Fair

Washington County, Indiana · 01.92 E SR 39 · Structure no. 030830

Built
1941
84 years old, rebuilt 1982
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
285 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
533
2004 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 256 over Muscatatuck River is a steel truss - thru carrying SR 256 over Muscatatuck River in Washington County, Indiana. It was built in 1941 and reconstructed in 1982, so it is 84 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 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 533 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 934 by 2030. The structure is 285 ft (86.8 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesSR 256
CrossesMuscatatuck River
Location01.92 E SR 39
RouteState Highway 256
CountyWashington County
StateIndiana
Coordinates38.74211, -85.90015
Functional classRural Major 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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47.2 US tons
Inventory rating28.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length285 ft (86.8 m)
Longest span175 ft (53.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck15 ft (4.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic533 (2004)
Projected traffic934 by 2030
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 SR 256 over Muscatatuck River built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1982.

What condition is SR 256 over Muscatatuck River 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does SR 256 over Muscatatuck River carry?

About 533 vehicles per day (2004 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is SR 256 over Muscatatuck River?

The structure is 285 ft (86.8 m) long with a longest span of 175 ft (53.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns SR 256 over Muscatatuck River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.