US Bridges

Nottawa Road over Prairie River

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 0.5 MI South of Nottawa · Structure no. 000000000010316

Built
1963
62 years old, rebuilt 2022
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Steel
Length
60 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,212
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nottawa Road over Prairie River is a steel box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Nottawa Road over Prairie River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1963 and reconstructed in 2022, so it is 62 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 1,212 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,287 by 2039. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNottawa Road
CrossesPrairie River
Location0.5 MI South of Nottawa
RouteCounty Highway 7861
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.91139, -85.44852
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating82.9 US tons
Inventory rating63.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadGreater than HL 93
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.6 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,212 (2019)
Projected traffic1,287 by 2039
Trucks16%
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 Nottawa Road over Prairie River built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2022.

What condition is Nottawa 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 Nottawa Road over Prairie River carry?

About 1,212 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is Nottawa Road over Prairie River?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.6 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Nottawa Road over Prairie River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.