US Bridges

Berne Road over Pigeon River

Poor

Huron County, Michigan · Sec. 34 Mckinley Twp. · Structure no. 000000000003621

Built
1910
115 years old, rebuilt 1971
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
79 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
465
2009 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Berne Road over Pigeon River is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Berne Road over Pigeon River in Huron County, Michigan. It was built in 1910 and reconstructed in 1971, so it is 115 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 465 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 840 by 2029. The structure is 79 ft (24 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBerne Road
CrossesPigeon River
LocationSec. 34 Mckinley Twp.
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHuron County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.8442, -83.28434
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be 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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36.8 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length79 ft (24 m)
Longest span76 ft (23.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic465 (2009)
Projected traffic840 by 2029
Trucks1%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Berne Road over Pigeon River built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1971.

What condition is Berne Road over Pigeon River 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 Berne Road over Pigeon River carry?

About 465 vehicles per day (2009 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Berne Road over Pigeon River?

The structure is 79 ft (24 m) long with a longest span of 76 ft (23.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Berne Road over Pigeon River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.