US Bridges

King Road over Whitefish River

PoorPosted for load

Alger County, Michigan · 6 MI NW of Traunik · Structure no. 000000000000074

Built
1910
115 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Concrete
Length
70 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
50
1995 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

King Road over Whitefish River is a concrete girder and floorbeam system carrying King Road over Whitefish River in Alger County, Michigan. It was built in 1910, so it is 115 years old, older than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 50 by 2015. The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesKing Road
CrossesWhitefish River
Location6 MI NW of Traunik
CountyAlger County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.26336, -87.09285
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating30.2 US tons
Inventory rating18 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length70 ft (21.3 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.8 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1995)
Projected traffic50 by 2015
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$220,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was King Road over Whitefish River built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025.

What condition is King Road over Whitefish River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does King Road over Whitefish River carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1995 count).

How long is King Road over Whitefish River?

The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns King Road over Whitefish River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.