US Bridges

Big Hand Road over Belle River

Fair

St. Clair County, Michigan · Sec. 20-29 Columbus Twp. · Structure no. 000000000010147

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
95 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
155
1994 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Big Hand Road over Belle River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Big Hand Road over Belle River in St. Clair County, Michigan. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 years old, younger 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 155 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 310 by 2014. The structure is 95 ft (28.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBig Hand Road
CrossesBelle River
LocationSec. 20-29 Columbus Twp.
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Clair County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.84056, -82.70845
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating68.3 US tons
Inventory rating40.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length95 ft (28.9 m)
Longest span46 ft (13.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic155 (1994)
Projected traffic310 by 2014
Trucks3%
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

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$12,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Big Hand Road over Belle River built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Big Hand Road over Belle River 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Big Hand Road over Belle River carry?

About 155 vehicles per day (1994 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Big Hand Road over Belle River?

The structure is 95 ft (28.9 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (13.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Big Hand Road over Belle River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.