US Bridges

Flach Road over Creek

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 4 MI NW of Mendon · Structure no. 000000000010378

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
176
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Flach Road over Creek is a wood or timber slab carrying Flach Road over Creek in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 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 176 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 260 by 2023. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFlach Road
CrossesCreek
Location4 MI NW of Mendon
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.06448, -85.48095
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 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating58.6 US tons
Inventory rating41.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic176 (2003)
Projected traffic260 by 2023
Trucks5%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Flach Road over Creek built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is Flach Road over 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 Flach Road over Creek carry?

About 176 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Flach Road over Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Flach Road over Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.