US Bridges

M-60 over Little Portage Creek

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · In Mendon · Structure no. 000000000010273

Built
1929
96 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,050
2013 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

M-60 over Little Portage Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying M-60 over Little Portage Creek in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1929, so it is 96 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 4,050 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,500 by 2035. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 71 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesM-60
CrossesLittle Portage Creek
LocationIn Mendon
RouteState Highway 60
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.00645, -85.45604
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width71 ft (21.5 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,050 (2013)
Projected traffic4,500 by 2035
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 M-60 over Little Portage Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025.

What condition is M-60 over Little Portage 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does M-60 over Little Portage Creek carry?

About 4,050 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is M-60 over Little Portage Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 71 ft wide.

Who owns M-60 over Little Portage Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.