US Bridges

Township Road 85 over Searson Ditch

Poor

Hardin County, Ohio · .3 MI N of JCT of SR 701 · Structure no. 3337227

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
324
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Township Road 85 over Searson Ditch is a concrete slab carrying Township Road 85 over Searson Ditch in Hardin County, Ohio. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 324 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2035. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTownship Road 85
CrossesSearson Ditch
Location.3 MI N of JCT of SR 701
RouteCounty Highway 85
CountyHardin County
StateOhio
Coordinates40.73698, -83.74799
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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 rating38 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic324 (2015)
Projected traffic450 by 2035
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Township Road 85 over Searson Ditch built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Township Road 85 over Searson Ditch 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Township Road 85 over Searson Ditch carry?

About 324 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Township Road 85 over Searson Ditch?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Township Road 85 over Searson Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.