US Bridges

County HWY 581 over Ford River

Fair

Dickinson County, Michigan · In Ralph · Structure no. 000000000002199

Built
1927
98 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Concrete
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
250
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County HWY 581 over Ford River is a concrete girder and floorbeam system carrying County HWY 581 over Ford River in Dickinson County, Michigan. It was built in 1927, so it is 98 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 250 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2035. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 34.8 mi (56 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty HWY 581
CrossesFord River
LocationIn Ralph
RouteCounty Highway 2245
CountyDickinson County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.1037, -87.78629
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span58 ft (17.6 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (2015)
Projected traffic450 by 2035
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed34.8 mi (56 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$426,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County HWY 581 over Ford River built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025.

What condition is County HWY 581 over Ford 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 County HWY 581 over Ford River carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County HWY 581 over Ford River?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 58 ft (17.6 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County HWY 581 over Ford River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.