5 Most Traveled Bridges in Indiana in Desperately Poor Condition

A report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) states that one in three American bridges is in need of repairs or replacement. And in Indiana, the state has identified 2,630 bridges that need repairs. Some of these bridges are in areas of heavy traffic. Read on for the five most traveled bridges in Indiana in desperately poor condition.

What Is the Condition of Indiana Bridges?

According to the ARTBA report, out of Indiana’s 19,381 bridges, 1,018 (5.3%) are classified as “structurally deficient”. However, this is an improvement from a few years ago when in 2019, 1,166 bridges were classified as structurally deficient in Indiana.

A structurally deficient bridge has at least one key element in poor or worse condition. Many structurally deficient bridges are posted with weight restrictions. However, they may still considered safe to travel across.

One of the problems with America’s bridges is that they are aging. Around 42% of all bridges in America are 50 years or older. The average age of American bridges is 44 years old. Some of America’s aging bridges are in rural areas with little traffic. Even so, many in dense urban areas see a lot of daily traffic as well. In our list of Indiana’s five most traveled bridges in poor condition, all were built in 1974 or earlier.

1: Interstate 465 Over Delaware Creek — Marion County

• Year Built: 1966
• Average Daily Crossings: 129,314

The most traveled bridge in Indiana rated in poor condition is in Indianapolis in Marion County at the crossing where Interstate 465 passes over Delaware Creek in Indianapolis. The bridge was built in 1966. It receives a daily average of 129,314 crossings per day. Furthermore, around 5% of the traffic is from trucks. The bridge has not had reconstruction since it was first built in the 1960s.

2: Interstate 465 Over Crooked Creek — Marion County

• Year Built: 1966
• Average Daily Crossings: 129,314

Just a little down the road is where Interstate 465 crosses Crooked Creek. Built at the same time, and receiving the same amount of daily crossings, this bridge also hasn’t been repaired since it was first constructed. Also, the report predicts bridge traffic to increase to 257,592 by 2035.

3: Interstate 80 Eastbound Over Railroad Crossing — Lake County

• Year Built: 1953
• Average Daily Crossings: 99,921

Coming in third is the only entry on our list that isn’t in Indianapolis. Interstate 80 traveling eastbound over a railroad crossing in the bustling Lake County sees 99,921 crossings per day. However, the bridge is classified as structurally deficient. Built in 1953, a reconstruction was completed in 1999. Nonetheless, as of the March 2022 report, the bridge ranks in poor condition. Furthermore, according to a recent report, the substructure has deterioration and advanced section loss.

4: Interstate 65/Interstate 70 Over East Tenth Street — Marion County

• Year Built: 1974
• Average Daily Crossings: 82,883

The bridge where Interstate 65 and 70 in Indianapolis crosses over Tenth Street has been classified as structurally deficient. Built in 1974, the bridge was reconstructed in 2003. Today, the bridge requires repairs. Additionally, the deck has a “serious condition” warning which means “local failures are possible” and that cracks may be present. And finally, the report predicts traffic will increase on this road to 165,103 daily crossings by 2030.

5: Interstate 465 Over West 96th Street — Marion County

• Year Built: 1967
• Average Daily Crossings: 57,399

Finally, we come to fifth on our list. This is where the bridge where Interstate 465 crosses West 96th Street. The structure was built in 1967 and sees daily traffic of about 57,399 crossings per day. However, the recent report rates the substructure as being in poor condition. Also, the underclear is rated as “intolerable.” Furthermore, the report predicts the average daily traffic to more than double by 2035 to 121,008.

Summary of the 5 Most Traveled Bridges in Indiana In Desperately Poor Condition

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