US Bridges

Austin Road over Belgian Drain

Fair

Tuscola County, Michigan · Sec 29 Akron Twp · Structure no. 000000000010528

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
35 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
65
2009 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Austin Road over Belgian Drain is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Austin Road over Belgian Drain in Tuscola County, Michigan. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 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.

It carries about 65 vehicles a day, projected to reach 120 by 2029. The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAustin Road
CrossesBelgian Drain
LocationSec 29 Akron Twp
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTuscola County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.68184, -83.55652
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 19 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 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 rating55.3 US tons
Inventory rating33.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length35 ft (10.7 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic65 (2009)
Projected traffic120 by 2029
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$276,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Austin Road over Belgian Drain built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Austin Road over Belgian Drain 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Austin Road over Belgian Drain carry?

About 65 vehicles per day (2009 count).

How long is Austin Road over Belgian Drain?

The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Austin Road over Belgian Drain?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.