US Bridges

Empire Avenue over Ox Creek

Fair

Berrien County, Michigan · 1 Blk E of Pipestone RD · Structure no. 000000000001047

Built
1984
41 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,000
1984 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Empire Avenue over Ox Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Empire Avenue over Ox Creek in Berrien County, Michigan. It was built in 1984, so it is 41 years old, younger 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 4,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,500 by 2011. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesEmpire Avenue
CrossesOx Creek
Location1 Blk E of Pipestone RD
RouteCity Street 2013
CountyBerrien County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.10157, -86.43879
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating73.2 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.5 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,000 (1984)
Projected traffic4,500 by 2011
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Empire Avenue over Ox Creek built?

It was built in 1984, making it 41 years old in 2025.

What condition is Empire Avenue over Ox Creek 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Empire Avenue over Ox Creek carry?

About 4,000 vehicles per day (1984 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Empire Avenue over Ox Creek?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Empire Avenue over Ox Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.