US Bridges

SR 5 over Eel River

Fair

Whitley County, Indiana · 00.04 S SR 14 · Structure no. 001540

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 2016
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
178 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
5,151
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 5 over Eel River is a concrete arch - deck carrying SR 5 over Eel River in Whitley County, Indiana. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 2016, so it is 90 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 5,151 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,459 by 2029. The structure is 178 ft (54.2 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR 5
CrossesEel River
Location00.04 S SR 14
RouteState Highway 5
CountyWhitley County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.08269, -85.62744
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating59.7 US tons
Inventory rating35.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length178 ft (54.2 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.7 m)
Deck width43 ft (13 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,151 (2021)
Projected traffic11,459 by 2029
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 5 over Eel River built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2016.

What condition is SR 5 over Eel 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 2024.

How much traffic does SR 5 over Eel River carry?

About 5,151 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is SR 5 over Eel River?

The structure is 178 ft (54.2 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.7 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns SR 5 over Eel River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.