US Bridges

E Main Street over Prairie River

Fair

St. Joseph County, Michigan · In Burr Oak · Structure no. 000000000013430

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
40 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
610
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

E Main Street over Prairie River is a steel culvert carrying E Main Street over Prairie River in St. Joseph County, Michigan. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 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 610 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 700 by 2040. The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesE Main Street
CrossesPrairie River
LocationIn Burr Oak
RouteCity Street 0
CountySt. Joseph County
StateMichigan
Coordinates41.84883, -85.31539
Functional classRural Major 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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating26.5 US tons
Inventory rating16.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length40 ft (12.3 m)
Longest span13 ft (4 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic610 (2020)
Projected traffic700 by 2040
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was E Main Street over Prairie River built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is E Main Street over Prairie 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 E Main Street over Prairie River carry?

About 610 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is E Main Street over Prairie River?

The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long with a longest span of 13 ft (4 m).

Who owns E Main Street over Prairie River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.