US Bridges

Psutka Road over Betsie River

Poor

Manistee County, Michigan · 5 MI NW of Copemish · Structure no. 000000000006467

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 2003
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
40 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
100
1993 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Psutka Road over Betsie River is a wood or timber slab carrying Psutka Road over Betsie River in Manistee County, Michigan. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 2003, so it is 125 years old, older than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 100 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 150 by 2018. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPsutka Road
CrossesBetsie River
Location5 MI NW of Copemish
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyManistee County
StateMichigan
Coordinates44.49623, -86.02988
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating62.2 US tons
Inventory rating44.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (1993)
Projected traffic150 by 2018
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$250,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Psutka Road over Betsie River built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2003.

What condition is Psutka Road over Betsie River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does Psutka Road over Betsie River carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (1993 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Psutka Road over Betsie River?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Psutka Road over Betsie River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.