US Bridges

Swartz Road over Little Ice Creek

FairPosted for load

Lawrence County, Ohio · 0.15 Miles East of CR 56 · Structure no. 4448057

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 2000
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
38 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
96
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Swartz Road over Little Ice Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Swartz Road over Little Ice Creek in Lawrence County, Ohio. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 2000, so it is 125 years old, older than the Ohio average of 47.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 96 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 133 by 2035. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSwartz Road
CrossesLittle Ice Creek
Location0.15 Miles East of CR 56
RouteCounty Highway T0137
CountyLawrence County
StateOhio
Coordinates38.48147, -82.58193
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating35.7 US tons
Inventory rating25 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic96 (2015)
Projected traffic133 by 2035
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$40,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Swartz Road over Little Ice Creek built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2000.

What condition is Swartz Road over Little Ice Creek 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Swartz Road over Little Ice Creek carry?

About 96 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Swartz Road over Little Ice Creek?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Swartz Road over Little Ice Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.