US Bridges

Flatbush Road over Rocky River

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 2 MI SE of Howardsville · Structure no. 000000000010375

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
52 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
104
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Flatbush Road over Rocky River is a wood or timber slab carrying Flatbush Road over Rocky River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 years old, older 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 5 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 104 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 110 by 2041. The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFlatbush Road
CrossesRocky River
Location2 MI SE of Howardsville
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.01851, -85.68392
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.3 US tons
Inventory rating35.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length52 ft (15.8 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic104 (2021)
Projected traffic110 by 2041
Trucks21%
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 Flatbush Road over Rocky River built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

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

About 104 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is Flatbush Road over Rocky River?

The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Flatbush Road over Rocky River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.