US Bridges

Empire Road over I-94

Fair

Berrien County, Michigan · 1.7 MI E of Benton Harbor · Structure no. 000000000000838

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
272 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
2,887
1994 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Empire Road over I-94 is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Empire Road over I-94 in Berrien 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 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 2,887 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,320 by 2014. The structure is 272 ft (82.8 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesEmpire Road
CrossesI-94
Location1.7 MI E of Benton Harbor
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBerrien County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.10147, -86.40224
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.7 US tons
Inventory rating36.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length272 ft (82.8 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.7 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,887 (1994)
Projected traffic3,320 by 2014
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$112,000
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Empire Road over I-94 built?

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

What condition is Empire Road over I-94 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Empire Road over I-94 carry?

About 2,887 vehicles per day (1994 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Empire Road over I-94?

The structure is 272 ft (82.8 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.7 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Empire Road over I-94?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.