US Bridges

S Branch Road over Pere Marquette River

Fair

Lake County, Michigan · 8 MI W of Baldwin · Structure no. 000000000005279

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,000
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

S Branch Road over Pere Marquette River is a concrete tee beam carrying S Branch Road over Pere Marquette River in Lake County, Michigan. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 1,000 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,800 by 2027. The structure is 120 ft (36.5 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesS Branch Road
CrossesPere Marquette River
Location8 MI W of Baldwin
RouteCounty Highway 4303
CountyLake County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.92938, -86.01932
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating32.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length120 ft (36.5 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.8 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2007)
Projected traffic1,800 by 2027
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 S Branch Road over Pere Marquette River built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is S Branch Road over Pere Marquette 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does S Branch Road over Pere Marquette River carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2007 count).

How long is S Branch Road over Pere Marquette River?

The structure is 120 ft (36.5 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.8 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns S Branch Road over Pere Marquette River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.