US Bridges

Raucholz Road over Big Potato Creek

Poor

Saginaw County, Michigan · 0.1 MI N of Brant Road · Structure no. 000000000009324

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
185
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Raucholz Road over Big Potato Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Raucholz Road over Big Potato Creek in Saginaw County, Michigan. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 years old, older 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 185 vehicles a day, projected to reach 220 by 2032. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesRaucholz Road
CrossesBig Potato Creek
Location0.1 MI N of Brant Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySaginaw County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.26139, -84.20907
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating88.6 US tons
Inventory rating53.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic185 (2022)
Projected traffic220 by 2032
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Raucholz Road over Big Potato Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Raucholz Road over Big Potato 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 Raucholz Road over Big Potato Creek carry?

About 185 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Raucholz Road over Big Potato Creek?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Raucholz Road over Big Potato Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.