US Bridges

Waterwheel Court over West Br Big Creek

Poor

Oscoda County, Michigan · Sec 23-26 Big Creek Twp · Structure no. 000000000008669

Built
2010
15 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
29
2009 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Waterwheel Court over West Br Big Creek is a wood or timber slab carrying Waterwheel Court over West Br Big Creek in Oscoda County, Michigan. It was built in 2010, so it is 15 years old, younger 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 29 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 50 by 2029. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWaterwheel Court
CrossesWest Br Big Creek
LocationSec 23-26 Big Creek Twp
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOscoda County
StateMichigan
Coordinates44.62321, -84.27845
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating97.9 US tons
Inventory rating62.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic29 (2009)
Projected traffic50 by 2029
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 Waterwheel Court over West Br Big Creek built?

It was built in 2010, making it 15 years old in 2025.

What condition is Waterwheel Court over West Br Big Creek 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Waterwheel Court over West Br Big Creek carry?

About 29 vehicles per day (2009 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Waterwheel Court over West Br Big Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Waterwheel Court over West Br Big Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.