US Bridges

Findley Road over Prairie River

Poor

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 5 MI E of Centreville · Structure no. 000000000010345

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
66 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
733
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Findley Road over Prairie River is a wood or timber slab carrying Findley Road over Prairie River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 years old, younger than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 733 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,013 by 2023. The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFindley Road
CrossesPrairie River
Location5 MI E of Centreville
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.89742, -85.4222
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
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 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be 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 rating51.5 US tons
Inventory rating36.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length66 ft (20.1 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic733 (2003)
Projected traffic1,013 by 2023
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 Findley Road over Prairie River built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Findley Road over Prairie River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in November 2024.

How much traffic does Findley Road over Prairie River carry?

About 733 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Findley Road over Prairie River?

The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Findley Road over Prairie River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.