US Bridges

Fairbanks Road over Paint River

Fair

Iron County, Michigan · 1 MI N of M-69 Paint R B · Structure no. 000000000004216

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
131 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
500
1997 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fairbanks Road over Paint River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Fairbanks Road over Paint River in Iron County, Michigan. It was built in 1998, so it is 27 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 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 500 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 750 by 2020. The structure is 131 ft (40 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFairbanks Road
CrossesPaint River
Location1 MI N of M-69 Paint R B
RouteCity Street 0
CountyIron County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.10585, -88.3333
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being 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 alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating97.9 US tons
Inventory rating58.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length131 ft (40 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.5 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.5 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (1997)
Projected traffic750 by 2020
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Fairbanks Road over Paint River built?

It was built in 1998, making it 27 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fairbanks Road over Paint 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 Fairbanks Road over Paint River carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (1997 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Fairbanks Road over Paint River?

The structure is 131 ft (40 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.5 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Fairbanks Road over Paint River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.