US Bridges

Carls Road over Fawn River

FairPosted for load

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 3 MI E of Sturgis · Structure no. 000000000010336

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
52 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
577
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Carls Road over Fawn River is a wood or timber slab carrying Carls Road over Fawn 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 577 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 800 by 2023. The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCarls Road
CrossesFawn River
Location3 MI E of Sturgis
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.78311, -85.35019
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.
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 statusPosted for load 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.2 US tons
Inventory rating29.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length52 ft (15.8 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic577 (2003)
Projected traffic800 by 2023
Trucks5%
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 Carls Road over Fawn River built?

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

What condition is Carls Road over Fawn 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 Carls Road over Fawn River carry?

About 577 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Carls Road over Fawn River?

The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Carls Road over Fawn River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.