US Bridges

Diffin Road over Werners Creek

FairPosted for load

Alger County, Michigan · 2 MI W of Diffin · Structure no. 000000000000054

Built
1906
119 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
1995 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Diffin Road over Werners Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Diffin Road over Werners Creek in Alger County, Michigan. It was built in 1906, so it is 119 years old, older than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 58 by 2015. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 39.8 mi (64 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDiffin Road
CrossesWerners Creek
Location2 MI W of Diffin
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAlger County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.20237, -87.08372
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating30.8 US tons
Inventory rating22.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1995)
Projected traffic58 by 2015
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed39.8 mi (64 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$260,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Diffin Road over Werners Creek built?

It was built in 1906, making it 119 years old in 2025.

What condition is Diffin Road over Werners Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does Diffin Road over Werners Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1995 count).

How long is Diffin Road over Werners Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Diffin Road over Werners Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.