US Bridges

Ruckman Road over Eel River

Fair

Whitley County, Indiana · 00.15 N Old Trail Road · Structure no. 9200055

Built
2013
12 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
76 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ruckman Road over Eel River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Ruckman Road over Eel River in Whitley County, Indiana. It was built in 2013, so it is 12 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 150 by 2038. The structure is 76 ft (23.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRuckman Road
CrossesEel River
Location00.15 N Old Trail Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWhitley County
StateIndiana
Coordinates41.15961, -85.37984
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating88.3 US tons
Inventory rating52.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length76 ft (23.1 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2014)
Projected traffic150 by 2038
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 Ruckman Road over Eel River built?

It was built in 2013, making it 12 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ruckman Road 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Ruckman Road over Eel River carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Ruckman Road over Eel River?

The structure is 76 ft (23.1 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Ruckman Road over Eel River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.