US Bridges

Mcclish Road over Portage Creek

FairPosted for load

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 4 MI NE of Mendon · Structure no. 000000000010381

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
133
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mcclish Road over Portage Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Mcclish Road over Portage Creek in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 133 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 177 by 2023. The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMcclish Road
CrossesPortage Creek
Location4 MI NE of Mendon
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.05889, -85.41103
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating41.8 US tons
Inventory rating29.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length32 ft (9.7 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic133 (2003)
Projected traffic177 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$150,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mcclish Road over Portage Creek built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Mcclish Road over Portage 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 Mcclish Road over Portage Creek carry?

About 133 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Mcclish Road over Portage Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Mcclish Road over Portage Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.