US Bridges

Plain Road over Butternut Creek Drain

Fair

Tuscola County, Michigan · Sec 34-35 Ellington Twp · Structure no. 000000000010578

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
26 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
170
2009 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Plain Road over Butternut Creek Drain is a steel culvert carrying Plain Road over Butternut Creek Drain in Tuscola County, Michigan. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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 170 vehicles a day, projected to reach 305 by 2029. The structure is 26 ft (8 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesPlain Road
CrossesButternut Creek Drain
LocationSec 34-35 Ellington Twp
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTuscola County
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.49994, -83.26904
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
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating107.1 US tons
Inventory rating107.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length26 ft (8 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.4 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic170 (2009)
Projected traffic305 by 2029
Trucks0%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Plain Road over Butternut Creek Drain built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is Plain Road over Butternut Creek 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Plain Road over Butternut Creek Drain carry?

About 170 vehicles per day (2009 count).

How long is Plain Road over Butternut Creek Drain?

The structure is 26 ft (8 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.4 m).

Who owns Plain Road over Butternut Creek Drain?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.