US Bridges

River Road over Big Bear Creek

Fair

Manistee County, Michigan · 7.0 Miles S W of Brether · Structure no. 000000000006450

Built
1976
49 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
1993 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Big Bear Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying River Road over Big Bear Creek in Manistee County, Michigan. It was built in 1976, so it is 49 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 350 by 2018. The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesBig Bear Creek
Location7.0 Miles S W of Brether
RouteCounty Highway 5130
CountyManistee County
StateMichigan
Coordinates44.29225, -86.11377
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating57.9 US tons
Inventory rating34.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length52 ft (15.8 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (1993)
Projected traffic350 by 2018
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 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 River Road over Big Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1976, making it 49 years old in 2025.

What condition is River Road over Big 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does River Road over Big Bear Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (1993 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Big Bear Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Big Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.