US Bridges

Mckale Road over Prairie River

Poor

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 4.5 MI NE of Sturgis · Structure no. 000000000010351

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
44 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
77
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mckale Road over Prairie River is a wood or timber slab carrying Mckale Road over Prairie River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 years old, older 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 77 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 133 by 2023. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMckale Road
CrossesPrairie River
Location4.5 MI NE of Sturgis
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.87143, -85.36867
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating54.8 US tons
Inventory rating38.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic77 (2003)
Projected traffic133 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 Mckale Road over Prairie River built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Mckale 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 Mckale Road over Prairie River carry?

About 77 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Mckale Road over Prairie River?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Mckale Road over Prairie River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.