US Bridges

Buhl Road over Elm Creek

Fair

Huron County, Michigan · Sec. 15-16 Sherman Twp. · Structure no. 000000000003664

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
110
2009 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Buhl Road over Elm Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Buhl Road over Elm Creek in Huron County, Michigan. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 110 vehicles a day, projected to reach 200 by 2029. The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBuhl Road
CrossesElm Creek
LocationSec. 15-16 Sherman Twp.
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHuron County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.73659, -82.70102
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating94.5 US tons
Inventory rating56.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length32 ft (9.7 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic110 (2009)
Projected traffic200 by 2029
Trucks—
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 Buhl Road over Elm Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Buhl Road over Elm Creek 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Buhl Road over Elm Creek carry?

About 110 vehicles per day (2009 count).

How long is Buhl Road over Elm Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Buhl Road over Elm Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.