US Bridges

Vanderhagen Road over Welch Creek

Poor

Gogebic County, Michigan · Sec 3-4 Ironwood Twp · Structure no. 000000000003011

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
24 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
182
1998 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Vanderhagen Road over Welch Creek is a steel culvert carrying Vanderhagen Road over Welch Creek in Gogebic 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 182 vehicles a day, projected to reach 182 by 2018. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesVanderhagen Road
CrossesWelch Creek
LocationSec 3-4 Ironwood Twp
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGogebic County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.50304, -90.17659
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating68.9 US tons
Inventory rating43.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span6 ft (1.8 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic182 (1998)
Projected traffic182 by 2018
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$169,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Vanderhagen Road over Welch Creek built?

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

What condition is Vanderhagen Road over Welch Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in September 2024.

How much traffic does Vanderhagen Road over Welch Creek carry?

About 182 vehicles per day (1998 count).

How long is Vanderhagen Road over Welch Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 6 ft (1.8 m).

Who owns Vanderhagen Road over Welch Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.