US Bridges

Pelkie Road over West Branch Sturgeon Riv

Fair

Baraga County, Michigan · 8 MI W of Baraga · Structure no. 000000000000512

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
80 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
962
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pelkie Road over West Branch Sturgeon Riv is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Pelkie Road over West Branch Sturgeon Riv in Baraga County, Michigan. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 6 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 962 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,200 by 2035. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

CarriesPelkie Road
CrossesWest Branch Sturgeon Riv
Location8 MI W of Baraga
RouteCounty Highway 711
Coordinates46.80708, -88.6363
Functional classRural 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic962 (2015)
Projected traffic1,200 by 2035
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Pelkie Road over West Branch Sturgeon Riv built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pelkie Road over West Branch Sturgeon Riv 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 Pelkie Road over West Branch Sturgeon Riv carry?

About 962 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Pelkie Road over West Branch Sturgeon Riv?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Pelkie Road over West Branch Sturgeon Riv?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.