US Bridges

Hemlock Road over South Branch Bad River

Good

Saginaw County, Michigan · 0.5 MI N of Marion Road · Structure no. 000000000009238

Built
1954
71 years old, rebuilt 2023
Condition
Good
inspected October 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Steel
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,529
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Hemlock Road over South Branch Bad River is a steel box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Hemlock Road over South Branch Bad River in Saginaw County, Michigan. It was built in 1954 and reconstructed in 2023, so it is 71 years old, older than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 2,529 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,948 by 2030. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18 mi (29 km).

Location

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CarriesHemlock Road
CrossesSouth Branch Bad River
Location0.5 MI N of Marion Road
RouteCounty Highway 7321
CountySaginaw County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.25226, -84.22912
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating100.8 US tons
Inventory rating77.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadGreater than HL 93
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.6 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,529 (2020)
Projected traffic2,948 by 2030
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed18 mi (29 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Hemlock Road over South Branch Bad River built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2023.

What condition is Hemlock Road over South Branch Bad River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does Hemlock Road over South Branch Bad River carry?

About 2,529 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Hemlock Road over South Branch Bad River?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.6 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Hemlock Road over South Branch Bad River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.