US Bridges

Middle Colon Road over Prairie River

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · NW of Burr Oak · Structure no. 000000000010292

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
43 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
720
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Middle Colon Road over Prairie River is a wood or timber slab carrying Middle Colon Road over Prairie River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 5 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 720 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 765 by 2042. The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMiddle Colon Road
CrossesPrairie River
LocationNW of Burr Oak
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.85467, -85.33096
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating38.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic720 (2022)
Projected traffic765 by 2042
Trucks11%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Middle Colon Road over Prairie River built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is Middle Colon Road over Prairie 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Middle Colon Road over Prairie River carry?

About 720 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is Middle Colon Road over Prairie River?

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Middle Colon Road over Prairie River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.