US Bridges

Decker Road over Little Swan Creek

Good

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 2 MI S of Colon · Structure no. 000000000010373

Built
2017
8 years old
Condition
Good
inspected November 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
45 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
315
2016 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Decker Road over Little Swan Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Decker Road over Little Swan Creek in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 2017, so it is 8 years old, younger than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 315 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 384 by 2036. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDecker Road
CrossesLittle Swan Creek
Location2 MI S of Colon
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.9268, -85.32662
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating106.8 US tons
Inventory rating82.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadGreater than HL 93
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span43 ft (13 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic315 (2016)
Projected traffic384 by 2036
Trucks8%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$210,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Decker Road over Little Swan Creek built?

It was built in 2017, making it 8 years old in 2025.

What condition is Decker Road over Little Swan Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in November 2023.

How much traffic does Decker Road over Little Swan Creek carry?

About 315 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Decker Road over Little Swan Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Decker Road over Little Swan Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.