US Bridges

48th Ave over Paw Paw River

Fair

Van Buren County, Michigan · 0.2 MI E of 48th Street · Structure no. 000000000010759

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 2010
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
90 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
240
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

48th Ave over Paw Paw River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying 48th Ave over Paw Paw River in Van Buren County, Michigan. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 2010, so it is 95 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 240 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 265 by 2039. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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Carries48th Ave
CrossesPaw Paw River
Location0.2 MI E of 48th Street
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyVan Buren County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.24381, -86.01115
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating91.4 US tons
Inventory rating70.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHL 93
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic240 (2019)
Projected traffic265 by 2039
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 48th Ave over Paw Paw River built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2010.

What condition is 48th Ave over Paw Paw 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does 48th Ave over Paw Paw River carry?

About 240 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is 48th Ave over Paw Paw River?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns 48th Ave over Paw Paw River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.