US Bridges

Mills Road over Black River & Smercz Drn

Good

Sanilac County, Michigan · Sec 3-10 Wheatland Twp · Structure no. 000000000009662

Built
2017
8 years old
Condition
Good
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
50 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
246
2016 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mills Road over Black River & Smercz Drn is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Mills Road over Black River & Smercz Drn in Sanilac County, Michigan. It was built in 2017, so it is 8 years old, younger than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 246 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 444 by 2036. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMills Road
CrossesBlack River & Smercz Drn
LocationSec 3-10 Wheatland Twp
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySanilac County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.5828, -82.81197
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating96.8 US tons
Inventory rating57.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadGreater than HL 93
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic246 (2016)
Projected traffic444 by 2036
Trucks10%
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

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$653,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mills Road over Black River & Smercz Drn built?

It was built in 2017, making it 8 years old in 2025.

What condition is Mills Road over Black River & Smercz Drn in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does Mills Road over Black River & Smercz Drn carry?

About 246 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Mills Road over Black River & Smercz Drn?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Mills Road over Black River & Smercz Drn?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.