US Bridges

Brown Bridge Road over Boardman River

Fair

Grand Traverse County, Michigan · 7MI S 0.5W of Williamsbur · Structure no. 000000000003064

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
63 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
165
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Brown Bridge Road over Boardman River is a wood or timber slab carrying Brown Bridge Road over Boardman River in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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.

It carries about 165 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 200 by 2030. The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBrown Bridge Road
CrossesBoardman River
Location7MI S 0.5W of Williamsbur
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGrand Traverse County
StateMichigan
Coordinates44.65678, -85.4385
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating107.1 US tons
Inventory rating80 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length63 ft (19.2 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic165 (2019)
Projected traffic200 by 2030
Trucks25%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Brown Bridge Road over Boardman River built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is Brown Bridge Road over Boardman 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 Brown Bridge Road over Boardman River carry?

About 165 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is Brown Bridge Road over Boardman River?

The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Brown Bridge Road over Boardman River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.