US Bridges

Pence HWY over Bear Creek

Fair

Lenawee County, Michigan · 0.3 MI S of Fike RD · Structure no. 000000000005676

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
56 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 1988, so it is 37 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 56 ft (17 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesPence HWY
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.3 MI S of Fike RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates41.78093, -83.96015
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.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 rating58.9 US tons
Inventory rating35.4 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length56 ft (17 m)
Longest span52 ft (15.8 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 1988, making it 37 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 56 ft (17 m) long with a longest span of 52 ft (15.8 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Pence HWY over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.