US Bridges

Route 551 over Big Cedar River

Fair

Menominee County, Michigan · 9.5 MI E of Carney · Structure no. 000000000006831

Built
1976
49 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
121 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
339
1999 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 551 over Big Cedar River is a concrete continuous slab carrying Route 551 over Big Cedar River in Menominee 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 339 vehicles a day, projected to reach 190 by 2019. The structure is 121 ft (36.8 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoute 551
CrossesBig Cedar River
Location9.5 MI E of Carney
RouteCounty Highway 5575
CountyMenominee County
StateMichigan
Coordinates45.58853, -87.36799
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating46.8 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length121 ft (36.8 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.3 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic339 (1999)
Projected traffic190 by 2019
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Route 551 over Big Cedar River built?

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

What condition is Route 551 over Big Cedar River 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Route 551 over Big Cedar River carry?

About 339 vehicles per day (1999 count).

How long is Route 551 over Big Cedar River?

The structure is 121 ft (36.8 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Route 551 over Big Cedar River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.