FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

SR 46

Carrying SR 46 over WHITEWATER RIVER

00.44 W US 52, Dearborn, Indiana

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
22 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: SR 46

The SR 46 bridge in Dearborn, Indiana carries SR 46 over WHITEWATER RIVER. It was built in 1937, making it 89 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1985, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 5 sections, stretching 270.1 meters (886 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 4,142 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Indiana bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 4/9, substructure at 6/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 22.4 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How SR 46 compares

▼ 13.2
Load rating vs Indiana average (35.6 t)
Bottom 8%
Lower load rating than 92% of Indiana bridges
139
Bridges in Dearborn · 17 in Poor condition
SR 46 22.4 t
Indiana average 35.6 t

Live comparison across Indiana.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
33.2 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
19.7
Serviceability /30
8.0
Essentiality /15
5.5
Special reductions
0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
22.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1937
Last Reconstructed
1985
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
5
Structure Length
270.1 m (886 ft)
Deck Width
7.6 m (25 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
4,142 vehicles/day
Structure Number
017540

Condition Analysis

  • At 5/9, the deck (driving surface) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) rates poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) rates fair at 6/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.

How to read this record

SR 46 is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare SR 46 against other structures in Dearborn and across Indiana. Indiana bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for SR 46?

SR 46 in Dearborn, Indiana has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is SR 46 inspected?

SR 46's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 4,142 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. SR 46 is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for SR 46?

SR 46 has an NBI inventory load rating of 22.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining SR 46?

SR 46 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is SR 46 and does age affect safety?

SR 46 was built in 1937, making it 89 years old and last reconstructed in 1985.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.