US Bridges

Yz Avenue over Portage River

Fair

Kalamazoo County, Michigan · 2.25MI S & 1.5MI E / Vick · Structure no. 000000000004622

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
40 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
720
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Yz Avenue over Portage River is a wood or timber slab carrying Yz Avenue over Portage River in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 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 720 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 850 by 2025. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesYz Avenue
CrossesPortage River
Location2.25MI S & 1.5MI E / Vick
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyKalamazoo County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.07816, -85.49405
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
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating107.1 US tons
Inventory rating85.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.6 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic720 (2007)
Projected traffic850 by 2025
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 Yz Avenue over Portage River built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is Yz Avenue over Portage 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Yz Avenue over Portage River carry?

About 720 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Yz Avenue over Portage River?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.6 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Yz Avenue over Portage River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.