US Bridges

Bulen-Pierce Road over Rathmel Ditch

Poor

Pickaway County, Ohio · 0.4 MI N. of Duvall Road · Structure no. 6531717

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
429
2016 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bulen-Pierce Road over Rathmel Ditch is a concrete slab carrying Bulen-Pierce Road over Rathmel Ditch in Pickaway County, Ohio. It was built in 1900, 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 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 429 vehicles a day, projected to reach 595 by 2036. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBulen-Pierce Road
CrossesRathmel Ditch
Location0.4 MI N. of Duvall Road
RouteCounty Highway T0099
CountyPickaway County
StateOhio
Coordinates39.7791, -82.96722
Functional classUrban 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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic429 (2016)
Projected traffic595 by 2036
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Bulen-Pierce Road over Rathmel Ditch built?

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

What condition is Bulen-Pierce Road over Rathmel 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Bulen-Pierce Road over Rathmel Ditch carry?

About 429 vehicles per day (2016 count).

How long is Bulen-Pierce Road over Rathmel Ditch?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Bulen-Pierce Road over Rathmel Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.