FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

CR 550 N

Carrying CR 550 N over SOUTH FORK DEER CREEK

0.1 MI W CR 50 E, Howard, Indiana

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
12 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: CR 550 N

The CR 550 N bridge in Howard, Indiana carries CR 550 N over SOUTH FORK DEER CREEK. It was built in 1960, making it 66 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1991, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of prestressed concrete and spans 1 section, stretching 16.2 meters (53 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 475 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Indiana bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 4/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. At least one major component here scores 4 or below, which produces a Poor condition classification under FHWA's current reporting rules. Its NBI inventory load rating is 12.1 metric tons.

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

How CR 550 N compares

▼ 23.5
Load rating vs Indiana average (35.6 t)
Bottom 2%
Lower load rating than 98% of Indiana bridges
194
Bridges in Howard · 8 in Poor condition
CR 550 N 12.1 t
Indiana average 35.6 t

Live comparison across Indiana.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
25.2 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
0.2
Serviceability /30
10.8
Essentiality /15
14.1
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
12.1 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1960
Last Reconstructed
1991
Material
Prestressed Concrete
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
16.2 m (53 ft)
Deck Width
7.5 m (25 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
475 vehicles/day
Structure Number
3400061

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in poor condition (4/9), showing advanced deterioration that may require priority repair.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.

How to read this record

CR 550 N 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 CR 550 N against other structures in Howard 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 CR 550 N?

CR 550 N in Howard, Indiana has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is CR 550 N inspected?

CR 550 N'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 475 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. CR 550 N 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 CR 550 N?

CR 550 N has an NBI inventory load rating of 12.1 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining CR 550 N?

CR 550 N is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is CR 550 N and does age affect safety?

CR 550 N was built in 1960, making it 66 years old and last reconstructed in 1991.

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.