US Bridges

Van Vleck Road over Prairie Creek

Fair

Ionia County, Michigan · 8.5 MI N & 5MI E of Ionia · Structure no. 000000000004036

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
43 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
549
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Van Vleck Road over Prairie Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Van Vleck Road over Prairie Creek in Ionia County, Michigan. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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 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 549 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 639 by 2027. The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesVan Vleck Road
CrossesPrairie Creek
Location8.5 MI N & 5MI E of Ionia
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyIonia County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.11246, -84.97416
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating70.8 US tons
Inventory rating42.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.8 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic549 (2007)
Projected traffic639 by 2027
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Van Vleck Road over Prairie Creek built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is Van Vleck Road over Prairie 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 Van Vleck Road over Prairie Creek carry?

About 549 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Van Vleck Road over Prairie Creek?

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.8 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Van Vleck Road over Prairie Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.