US Bridges

Pence HWY over Bear Creek

Fair

Lenawee County, Michigan · 0.5 MI S of Fike RD · Structure no. 000000000005675

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
76 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
71
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pence HWY over Bear Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Pence HWY over Bear Creek in Lenawee County, Michigan. It was built in 1982, so it is 43 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 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 71 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 250 by 2031. The structure is 76 ft (23.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesPence HWY
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.5 MI S of Fike RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates41.77838, -83.96009
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.7 US tons
Inventory rating29.2 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length76 ft (23.1 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic71 (2012)
Projected traffic250 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Pence HWY over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pence HWY over Bear 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Pence HWY over Bear Creek carry?

About 71 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Pence HWY over Bear Creek?

The structure is 76 ft (23.1 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Pence HWY over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.