US Bridges

38th Street over I-94

Fair

Kalamazoo County, Michigan · 5.7 MI E of I-94 Bl · Structure no. 000000000004583

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
192 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
782
1994 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

38th Street over I-94 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying 38th Street over I-94 in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 782 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,000 by 2015. The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries38th Street
CrossesI-94
Location5.7 MI E of I-94 Bl
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyKalamazoo County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.27854, -85.4004
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating57.1 US tons
Inventory rating34.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length192 ft (58.5 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic782 (1994)
Projected traffic1,000 by 2015
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$81,000
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was 38th Street over I-94 built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is 38th Street over I-94 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 38th Street over I-94 carry?

About 782 vehicles per day (1994 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is 38th Street over I-94?

The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns 38th Street over I-94?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.