US Bridges

Karvonen Road over Laughing Whitefish River

Fair

Alger County, Michigan · 0.25 MI N of Deerton · Structure no. 000000000000076

Built
1910
115 years old, rebuilt 2010
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
1995 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Karvonen Road over Laughing Whitefish River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Karvonen Road over Laughing Whitefish River in Alger County, Michigan. It was built in 1910 and reconstructed in 2010, 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 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.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day. The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 124.3 mi (200 km).

Location

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CarriesKarvonen Road
CrossesLaughing Whitefish River
Location0.25 MI N of Deerton
CountyAlger County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.4783, -87.04452
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating102.4 US tons
Inventory rating61.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1995)
Projected traffic—
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed124.3 mi (200 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$210,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Karvonen Road over Laughing Whitefish River built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2010.

What condition is Karvonen Road over Laughing Whitefish River 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 Karvonen Road over Laughing Whitefish River carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1995 count).

How long is Karvonen Road over Laughing Whitefish River?

The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Karvonen Road over Laughing Whitefish River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.