A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
Why did the truss bridge break up with the beam bridge? It needed more support.
over EAST 21ST STREET
00.18 S I-70
Parametric wireframe generated from real NBI dimensions. Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom.
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This bridge has a Fair overall condition rating of 6 out of 9. While it is not classified as structurally deficient, it shows some deterioration that is being monitored.
The bridge carries 60,349 vehicles per day and is 60 years old (reconstructed in 2002).
Its sufficiency rating of 53.2 places it below the national average of 63.6.
The NBI records a navigation clearance of 17 feet — the minimum vertical space below the bridge deck. The total height of the bridge structure (including towers, railings, and superstructure) may be higher.
For travelers with bridge anxiety
This bridge may cause some awareness for travelers with bridge anxiety, but has manageable characteristics.
This bridge is 155 feet long — a quick crossing, under 5 seconds at highway speed.
A standard overpass design with solid barriers on each side.
About 17 feet above ground — moderate height, similar to a 3-5 story building.
About 60,349 vehicles cross daily — heavy traffic, congestion likely during rush hours.
The deck is 64 feet wide with 3-4 lanes — standard width.
This bridge crosses over land, not water — no water views below.
This comfort score is designed to help individuals with bridge anxiety plan their travel. All bridges in the National Bridge Inventory are regularly inspected and deemed safe for travel. This is not medical advice — if you experience severe anxiety, please consult a healthcare professional.
Year Built
1966
60 years old (rebuilt 2002)
Structure Type
Steel (Continuous) Stringer/Multi-beam/Girder
Total Length
155 ft
47.3 m
Deck Width
64 ft
19.4 m
Spans
2
sections between supports
Max Span
77 ft
longest unsupported section (23.4 m)
Traffic Lanes
3 lanes
One-way traffic
Clearance Below
17 ft
navigation clearance under deck
Clearance height compared to familiar objects
Height shown is the navigation clearance below the bridge deck. The total height of the bridge structure (including towers and superstructure) may be higher.
Daily Traffic
60,349vehicles/day
39.79646°N, 86.03515°W
Steel (Continuous) Stringer/Multi-beam/Girder
A steel stringer bridge uses parallel steel beams (stringers) to support the deck. This is one of the most common bridge types in the US, valued for its simplicity and strength.
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Data from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Data year: 2025. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as the sole basis for any decisions related to bridge safety or transportation planning. Always consult official sources and local authorities for the most current data.