CR 550S

CR 550S carries traffic over BIG WALNUT CREEK in Putnam County, Indiana. Built in 1880, this structure is 146 years old, making it a historic structure that has served the community for generations. The bridge features wood or timber construction with a truss - thru design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Traffic data is recorded to help engineers understand usage patterns. Commercial trucks account for 5% of all crossings. This proportion of commercial traffic is typical for this roadway classification and is factored into the bridge's design load ratings.

The bridge is currently rated in good condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. The structure meets current safety standards for its designated use and load capacity. With a total length of 21 feet, this is a shorter span typical of local road crossings, often carrying traffic over small streams, drainage channels, or other roadways.

The construction materials used in this bridge were selected based on engineering requirements, cost considerations, and local conditions at the time of construction.

Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.