US Bridges

River Road over Thornapple River

Fair

Barry County, Michigan · 0.5 MI W of Mckeown Road · Structure no. 000000000000567

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
122 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
135
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Thornapple River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying River Road over Thornapple River in Barry County, Michigan. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 135 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 165 by 2038. The structure is 122 ft (37.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesThornapple River
Location0.5 MI W of Mckeown Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBarry County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.62482, -85.24525
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating78.6 US tons
Inventory rating47.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length122 ft (37.1 m)
Longest span59 ft (17.9 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic135 (2018)
Projected traffic165 by 2038
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 River Road over Thornapple River built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is River 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 River Road over Thornapple River carry?

About 135 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Thornapple River?

The structure is 122 ft (37.1 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (17.9 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Thornapple River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.