US Bridges

Orton Road over Tamarack Creek

Fair

Montcalm County, Michigan · Howard City · Structure no. 000000000007533

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 2000
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
61 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
570
2004 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Orton Road over Tamarack Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Orton Road over Tamarack Creek in Montcalm County, Michigan. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 2000, so it is 95 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 6 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 570 vehicles a day, projected to reach 866 by 2024. The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOrton Road
CrossesTamarack Creek
LocationHoward City
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMontcalm County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.39734, -85.46248
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating95 US tons
Inventory rating73.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length61 ft (18.6 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic570 (2004)
Projected traffic866 by 2024
Trucks0%
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

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Orton Road over Tamarack Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2000.

What condition is Orton Road over Tamarack 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Orton Road over Tamarack Creek carry?

About 570 vehicles per day (2004 count).

How long is Orton Road over Tamarack Creek?

The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Orton Road over Tamarack Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.