US Bridges

Smith Bridge Road over South Br. Au Sable River

FairPosted for load

Crawford County, Michigan · Sec. 27 South Branch Twp. · Structure no. 000000000002079

Built
1995
30 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
86 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
1995 count
Owner
State
Other State Agency

About this bridge

Smith Bridge Road over South Br. Au Sable River is a steel truss - thru carrying Smith Bridge Road over South Br. Au Sable River in Crawford County, Michigan. It was built in 1995, so it is 30 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 40 by 2015. The structure is 86 ft (26.2 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSmith Bridge Road
CrossesSouth Br. Au Sable River
LocationSec. 27 South Branch Twp.
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCrawford County
StateMichigan
Coordinates44.61494, -84.45564
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating56.4 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length86 ft (26.2 m)
Longest span85 ft (25.9 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (1995)
Projected traffic40 by 2015
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerOther State Agency
Maintained byOther State 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 Smith Bridge Road over South Br. Au Sable River built?

It was built in 1995, making it 30 years old in 2025.

What condition is Smith Bridge Road over South Br. Au Sable River 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 2024.

How much traffic does Smith Bridge Road over South Br. Au Sable River carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (1995 count).

How long is Smith Bridge Road over South Br. Au Sable River?

The structure is 86 ft (26.2 m) long with a longest span of 85 ft (25.9 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Smith Bridge Road over South Br. Au Sable River?

It is owned by the Other State Agency.