US Bridges

Twp. Road 50 over Steele Ditch

Fair

Wayne County, Ohio · 0.2 Mi. N. of CR504 · Structure no. 8547041

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 1997
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
43 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
546
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Twp. Road 50 over Steele Ditch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Twp. Road 50 over Steele Ditch in Wayne County, Ohio. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 1997, 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 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 546 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 758 by 2035. The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTwp. Road 50
CrossesSteele Ditch
Location0.2 Mi. N. of CR504
RouteCounty Highway T0050
CountyWayne County
StateOhio
Coordinates40.96269, -81.85063
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating71.4 US tons
Inventory rating53.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic546 (2015)
Projected traffic758 by 2035
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$322,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Twp. Road 50 over Steele Ditch built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1997.

What condition is Twp. Road 50 over Steele 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Twp. Road 50 over Steele Ditch carry?

About 546 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Twp. Road 50 over Steele Ditch?

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Twp. Road 50 over Steele Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.