US Bridges

Couper Road over Bear Swamp Creek

Fair

Monroe County, Michigan · 0.7 MI E of Platt Road · Structure no. 000000000007373

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 1993
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
1994 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Couper Road over Bear Swamp Creek is a wood or timber slab carrying Couper Road over Bear Swamp Creek in Monroe County, Michigan. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 1993, so it is 75 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 20 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 24 by 2014. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 124.3 mi (200 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCouper Road
CrossesBear Swamp Creek
Location0.7 MI E of Platt Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMonroe County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.01876, -83.68081
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating67.9 US tons
Inventory rating47.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (1994)
Projected traffic24 by 2014
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed124.3 mi (200 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 Couper Road over Bear Swamp Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1993.

What condition is Couper Road over Bear Swamp 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Couper Road over Bear Swamp Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (1994 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Couper Road over Bear Swamp Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Couper Road over Bear Swamp Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.