US Bridges

County RD 438 over N Br W Br Escanaba R

Poor

Marquette County, Michigan · 5 Miles West of CO RD 557 · Structure no. 000000000006527

Built
1928
97 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
67
2001 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County RD 438 over N Br W Br Escanaba R is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County RD 438 over N Br W Br Escanaba R in Marquette County, Michigan. It was built in 1928 and reconstructed in 1990, so it is 97 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 67 vehicles a day, projected to reach 100 by 2020. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.9 mi (40 km).

CarriesCounty RD 438
CrossesN Br W Br Escanaba R
Location5 Miles West of CO RD 557
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates46.18527, -87.56578
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; extensive scour has occurred
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating107.1 US tons
Inventory rating61.4 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic67 (2001)
Projected traffic100 by 2020
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.9 mi (40 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 County RD 438 over N Br W Br Escanaba R built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is County RD 438 over N Br W Br Escanaba R 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does County RD 438 over N Br W Br Escanaba R carry?

About 67 vehicles per day (2001 count).

How long is County RD 438 over N Br W Br Escanaba R?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County RD 438 over N Br W Br Escanaba R?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.