US Bridges

Carpenter Road over Portage River

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 2 MI NE of Three Rivers · Structure no. 000000000010360

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
88 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
57
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Carpenter Road over Portage River is a wood or timber slab carrying Carpenter Road over Portage River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 57 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 61 by 2041. The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCarpenter Road
CrossesPortage River
Location2 MI NE of Three Rivers
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.9808, -85.59624
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating57.7 US tons
Inventory rating41.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length88 ft (26.8 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic57 (2021)
Projected traffic61 by 2041
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Carpenter Road over Portage River built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Carpenter Road over Portage 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 Carpenter Road over Portage River carry?

About 57 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Carpenter Road over Portage River?

The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Carpenter Road over Portage River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.