US Bridges

Rudy Road over Dowagiac River

Good

Cass County, Michigan · 1 MI E of M-51 · Structure no. 000000000001460

Built
2022
3 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete
Length
65 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
70
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rudy Road over Dowagiac River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Rudy Road over Dowagiac River in Cass County, Michigan. It was built in 2022, so it is 3 years old, younger than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 70 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 85 by 2041. The structure is 65 ft (19.8 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRudy Road
CrossesDowagiac River
Location1 MI E of M-51
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCass County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.03871, -86.08858
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating107.1 US tons
Inventory rating83.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadGreater than HL 93
Structure length65 ft (19.8 m)
Longest span62 ft (18.9 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic70 (2021)
Projected traffic85 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$200,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rudy Road over Dowagiac River built?

It was built in 2022, making it 3 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rudy Road over Dowagiac River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in October 2024.

How much traffic does Rudy Road over Dowagiac River carry?

About 70 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Rudy Road over Dowagiac River?

The structure is 65 ft (19.8 m) long with a longest span of 62 ft (18.9 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Rudy Road over Dowagiac River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.