US Bridges

Howick Road over Blierdofer Ditch

Fair

Mercer County, Ohio · 0.5 MI E US 127 · Structure no. 5435587

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 2009
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
476
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Howick Road over Blierdofer Ditch is a concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Howick Road over Blierdofer Ditch in Mercer County, Ohio. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 2009, so it is 105 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.

It carries about 476 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 661 by 2035. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesHowick Road
CrossesBlierdofer Ditch
Location0.5 MI E US 127
RouteCounty Highway C160B
CountyMercer County
StateOhio
Coordinates40.58225, -84.56186
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.4 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic476 (2015)
Projected traffic661 by 2035
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$64,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Howick Road over Blierdofer Ditch built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2009.

What condition is Howick Road over Blierdofer Ditch 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Howick Road over Blierdofer Ditch carry?

About 476 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Howick Road over Blierdofer Ditch?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Howick Road over Blierdofer Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.