US Bridges

I-75 Bs (portage) over Power Canal

Fair

Chippewa County, Michigan · In Sault Ste Marie · Structure no. 000000000001571

Built
1970
55 years old, rebuilt 1987
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Arch - Thru
Steel
Length
265 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,894
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-75 Bs (portage) over Power Canal is a steel arch - thru carrying I-75 Bs (portage) over Power Canal in Chippewa County, Michigan. It was built in 1970 and reconstructed in 1987, so it is 55 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 3,894 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 48,675 by 2016. The structure is 265 ft (80.7 m) long and 61 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesI-75 Bs (portage)
CrossesPower Canal
LocationIn Sault Ste Marie
RouteInterstate 75
CountyChippewa County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.49609, -84.33323
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.1 US tons
Inventory rating36.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length265 ft (80.7 m)
Longest span265 ft (80.7 m)
Deck width61 ft (18.7 m)
Roadway width45 ft (13.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deck17 ft (5.3 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,894 (2016)
Projected traffic48,675 by 2016
Trucks6%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 I-75 Bs (portage) over Power Canal built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1987.

What condition is I-75 Bs (portage) over Power Canal 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does I-75 Bs (portage) over Power Canal carry?

About 3,894 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is I-75 Bs (portage) over Power Canal?

The structure is 265 ft (80.7 m) long with a longest span of 265 ft (80.7 m) and a deck 61 ft wide.

Who owns I-75 Bs (portage) over Power Canal?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.