US Bridges

I-196 Bl (n Shore) over I-196 & US-31

Fair

Allegan County, Michigan · 0.5 MI N of Van Buren Col · Structure no. 000000000000106

Built
1963
62 years old, rebuilt 2014
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
225 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
8,400
2014 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-196 Bl (n Shore) over I-196 & US-31 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-196 Bl (n Shore) over I-196 & US-31 in Allegan County, Michigan. It was built in 1963 and reconstructed in 2014, so it is 62 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 8,400 vehicles a day, roughly 26% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,325 by 2034. The structure is 225 ft (68.7 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-196 Bl (n Shore)
CrossesI-196 & US-31
Location0.5 MI N of Van Buren Col
RouteCounty Highway 196
CountyAllegan County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.42652, -86.25227
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating71.1 US tons
Inventory rating42.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length225 ft (68.7 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.3 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.2 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,400 (2014)
Projected traffic9,325 by 2034
Trucks26%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-196 Bl (n Shore) over I-196 & US-31 built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2014.

What condition is I-196 Bl (n Shore) over I-196 & US-31 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does I-196 Bl (n Shore) over I-196 & US-31 carry?

About 8,400 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 26% are trucks.

How long is I-196 Bl (n Shore) over I-196 & US-31?

The structure is 225 ft (68.7 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.3 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns I-196 Bl (n Shore) over I-196 & US-31?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.