US Bridges

Ferndale Street over Brandywine Creek

PoorPosted for load

Berrien County, Michigan · 0.30 MI S of Niles · Structure no. 000000000001023

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
21 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
147
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ferndale Street over Brandywine Creek is a steel culvert carrying Ferndale Street over Brandywine Creek in Berrien County, Michigan. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 years old, older than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 147 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 300 by 2027. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesFerndale Street
CrossesBrandywine Creek
Location0.30 MI S of Niles
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBerrien County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.8079, -86.24555
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating27.4 US tons
Inventory rating16.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span7 ft (2.1 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic147 (2007)
Projected traffic300 by 2027
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$670,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ferndale Street over Brandywine Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ferndale Street over Brandywine Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does Ferndale Street over Brandywine Creek carry?

About 147 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Ferndale Street over Brandywine Creek?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 7 ft (2.1 m).

Who owns Ferndale Street over Brandywine Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.