Surrounded by equipment and supports for the new bridge set to bypass the old crossing, Houck Covered Bridge still stands above Big Walnut Creek. With the annual Covered Bridge Festival ongoing in nearby Parke County, Putnam County has a proud covered bridge tradition of its own, with nine still spanning the streams of Putnam County. The construction around Houck will build a modern bridge just north of the old crossing, removing the one-lane crossing and the 90-degree turn between county roads 550 South and 500 West that lies just to the west of the covered bridge. Upon completion, the old bridge will remain in place as a walking bridge.