US Bridges

Delong Road over Rocky River

Good

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 1 MI SE of Howardsville · Structure no. 000000000010374

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Good
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
68
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Delong Road over Rocky River is a wood or timber slab carrying Delong Road over Rocky River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 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 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 68 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 98 by 2023. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDelong Road
CrossesRocky River
Location1 MI SE of Howardsville
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.01738, -85.70335
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.7 US tons
Inventory rating43.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.2 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic68 (2003)
Projected traffic98 by 2023
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 Delong Road over Rocky River built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is Delong Road over Rocky River 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 Delong Road over Rocky River carry?

About 68 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Delong Road over Rocky River?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.2 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Delong Road over Rocky River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.