US Bridges

Risku Farm Road over Laughing Whitefish River

FairPosted for load

Alger County, Michigan · 2 MI N of Deerton · Structure no. 000000000000080

Built
1958
67 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
6
1995 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Risku Farm Road over Laughing Whitefish River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Risku Farm Road over Laughing Whitefish River in Alger County, Michigan. It was built in 1958 and reconstructed in 2011, so it is 67 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 6 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2015. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 124.3 mi (200 km).

Location

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CarriesRisku Farm Road
CrossesLaughing Whitefish River
Location2 MI N of Deerton
CountyAlger County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.50704, -87.03728
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating24.3 US tons
Inventory rating18.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width13 ft (3.9 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6 (1995)
Projected traffic10 by 2015
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$175,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Risku Farm Road over Laughing Whitefish River built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is Risku Farm 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 Risku Farm Road over Laughing Whitefish River carry?

About 6 vehicles per day (1995 count).

How long is Risku Farm Road over Laughing Whitefish River?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Risku Farm Road over Laughing Whitefish River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.