US Bridges

Airport Road over Thornapple River

Fair

Barry County, Michigan · 4 MI NW of Hastings · Structure no. 000000000000551

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
110 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,488
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Airport Road over Thornapple River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Airport Road over Thornapple River in Barry County, Michigan. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 1,488 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,816 by 2042. The structure is 110 ft (33.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAirport Road
CrossesThornapple River
Location4 MI NW of Hastings
RouteCounty Highway 831
CountyBarry County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.66324, -85.35323
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating55.3 US tons
Inventory rating33.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length110 ft (33.5 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,488 (2022)
Projected traffic1,816 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 Airport Road over Thornapple River built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Airport Road over Thornapple 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Airport Road over Thornapple River carry?

About 1,488 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Airport Road over Thornapple River?

The structure is 110 ft (33.5 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Airport Road over Thornapple River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.