US Bridges

Wabash Road over Big Black Creek

Fair

Mercer County, Ohio · 0.1 MI S Tama Road · Structure no. 5450543

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 1993
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Concrete
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
70
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wabash Road over Big Black Creek is a concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Wabash Road over Big Black Creek in Mercer County, Ohio. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 1993, 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 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 70 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 97 by 2035. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWabash Road
CrossesBig Black Creek
Location0.1 MI S Tama Road
RouteCounty Highway C031A
CountyMercer County
StateOhio
Coordinates40.63281, -84.74693
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable 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 + Mod
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic70 (2015)
Projected traffic97 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$51,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wabash Road over Big Black Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1993.

What condition is Wabash Road over Big Black 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 Wabash Road over Big Black Creek carry?

About 70 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Wabash Road over Big Black Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Wabash Road over Big Black Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.