US Bridges

Needham Road over Big Swan Creek

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 4 MI NW of Burr Oak · Structure no. 000000000010353

Built
2003
22 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
63 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
77
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Needham Road over Big Swan Creek is a wood or timber slab carrying Needham Road over Big Swan Creek in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 2003, so it is 22 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 77 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 99 by 2023. The structure is 63 ft (19.1 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNeedham Road
CrossesBig Swan Creek
Location4 MI NW of Burr Oak
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.89164, -85.35076
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.5 US tons
Inventory rating37.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length63 ft (19.1 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic77 (2003)
Projected traffic99 by 2023
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Needham Road over Big Swan Creek built?

It was built in 2003, making it 22 years old in 2025.

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

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

How long is Needham Road over Big Swan Creek?

The structure is 63 ft (19.1 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Needham Road over Big Swan Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.