US Bridges

Bent Road over Rocky River

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · South of Howardsville · Structure no. 000000000010303

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
38 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
472
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bent Road over Rocky River is a wood or timber slab carrying Bent Road over Rocky River in St. Joseph 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 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 472 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 501 by 2038. The structure is 38 ft (11.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesBent Road
CrossesRocky River
LocationSouth of Howardsville
RouteCounty Highway 7809
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.02433, -85.71819
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating58.4 US tons
Inventory rating41.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length38 ft (11.5 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic472 (2018)
Projected traffic501 by 2038
Trucks15%
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 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 Bent Road over Rocky River built?

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

What condition is Bent Road over Rocky 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 Bent Road over Rocky River carry?

About 472 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Bent Road over Rocky River?

The structure is 38 ft (11.5 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Bent Road over Rocky River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.