US Bridges

Fifth Avenue over Portage River

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · 0.3 MI East of US-131 Br · Structure no. 000000000010391

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
77 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,800
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fifth Avenue over Portage River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Fifth Avenue over Portage River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 2,800 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,000 by 2042. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFifth Avenue
CrossesPortage River
Location0.3 MI East of US-131 Br
RouteCity Street 2043
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.94709, -85.62837
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40.7 US tons
Inventory rating23.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.8 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,800 (2022)
Projected traffic3,000 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Fifth Avenue over Portage River built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fifth Avenue over Portage 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Fifth Avenue over Portage River carry?

About 2,800 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Fifth Avenue over Portage River?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.8 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Fifth Avenue over Portage River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.