US Bridges

Fossil Rock RD over Brch Shade River

Poor

Athens County, Ohio · Just East of CR 25 · Structure no. 0549576

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
62 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
125
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fossil Rock RD over Brch Shade River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Fossil Rock RD over Brch Shade River in Athens County, Ohio. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 years old, older than the Ohio average of 47.3 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 125 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 174 by 2042. The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesFossil Rock RD
CrossesBrch Shade River
LocationJust East of CR 25
RouteCounty Highway 42
CountyAthens County
StateOhio
Coordinates39.24976, -82.01442
Functional classRural Major Collector

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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating61.4 US tons
Inventory rating47.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length62 ft (18.9 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic125 (2015)
Projected traffic174 by 2042
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Fossil Rock RD over Brch Shade River built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fossil Rock RD over Brch Shade River 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Fossil Rock RD over Brch Shade River carry?

About 125 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Fossil Rock RD over Brch Shade River?

The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Fossil Rock RD over Brch Shade River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.