US Bridges

Stewart Road over Big Thornapple Drain

FairPosted for load

Eaton County, Michigan · 1 MI W of Potterville · Structure no. 000000000002374

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Other
Wood or Timber
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
182
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Stewart Road over Big Thornapple Drain is a wood or timber other carrying Stewart Road over Big Thornapple Drain in Eaton County, Michigan. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 182 vehicles a day, projected to reach 200 by 2013. The structure is 33 ft (10 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesStewart Road
CrossesBig Thornapple Drain
Location1 MI W of Potterville
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyEaton County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.62051, -84.76833
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 rating30.8 US tons
Inventory rating21.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeOther
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length33 ft (10 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.7 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic182 (2011)
Projected traffic200 by 2013
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$250,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Stewart Road over Big Thornapple Drain built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Stewart Road over Big Thornapple Drain 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Stewart Road over Big Thornapple Drain carry?

About 182 vehicles per day (2011 count).

How long is Stewart Road over Big Thornapple Drain?

The structure is 33 ft (10 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.7 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Stewart Road over Big Thornapple Drain?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.