US Bridges

Baseline Road over Black River

Fair

Van Buren County, Michigan · 1.0 MI NE of South Haven · Structure no. 000000000010788

Built
1984
41 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
114 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
550
1999 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Baseline Road over Black River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Baseline Road over Black River in Van Buren County, Michigan. It was built in 1984, so it is 41 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 550 vehicles a day, projected to reach 817 by 2020. The structure is 114 ft (34.7 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBaseline Road
CrossesBlack River
Location1.0 MI NE of South Haven
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyVan Buren County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.42082, -86.24342
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating70 US tons
Inventory rating42.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length114 ft (34.7 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.7 m)
Deck width39 ft (11.8 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic550 (1999)
Projected traffic817 by 2020
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Baseline Road over Black River built?

It was built in 1984, making it 41 years old in 2025.

What condition is Baseline Road over Black 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 Baseline Road over Black River carry?

About 550 vehicles per day (1999 count).

How long is Baseline Road over Black River?

The structure is 114 ft (34.7 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.7 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns Baseline Road over Black River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.