US Bridges

South Front Street over Dowagiac Creek

Fair

Cass County, Michigan · 0.1 MI S of High Street · Structure no. 000000000001465

Built
1924
101 years old, rebuilt 1952
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
46 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
4,034
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

South Front Street over Dowagiac Creek is a concrete slab carrying South Front Street over Dowagiac Creek in Cass County, Michigan. It was built in 1924 and reconstructed in 1952, so it is 101 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 4,034 vehicles a day, projected to reach 4,922 by 2042. The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSouth Front Street
CrossesDowagiac Creek
Location0.1 MI S of High Street
RouteCity Street 2042
CountyCass County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.97908, -86.11213
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating53.2 US tons
Inventory rating31.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length46 ft (14 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width39 ft (11.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,034 (2022)
Projected traffic4,922 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 South Front Street over Dowagiac Creek built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1952.

What condition is South Front Street over Dowagiac 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does South Front Street over Dowagiac Creek carry?

About 4,034 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is South Front Street over Dowagiac Creek?

The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns South Front Street over Dowagiac Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.