US Bridges

Townline Road over Big Swan Creek

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 4 MI NE of Burr Oak · Structure no. 000000000010349

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
48 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
133
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Townline Road over Big Swan Creek is a wood or timber slab carrying Townline Road over Big Swan Creek in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1982, so it is 43 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 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 133 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 150 by 2023. The structure is 48 ft (14.6 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTownline Road
CrossesBig Swan Creek
Location4 MI NE of Burr Oak
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.89742, -85.35951
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating51.8 US tons
Inventory rating37.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length48 ft (14.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic133 (2003)
Projected traffic150 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 Townline Road over Big Swan Creek built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025.

What condition is Townline Road over Big Swan Creek 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 Townline Road over Big Swan Creek carry?

About 133 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Townline Road over Big Swan Creek?

The structure is 48 ft (14.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Townline Road over Big Swan Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.