US Bridges

Bell Road over Swan Creek

Poor

Wayne County, Michigan · Huron N/Will Carleton · Structure no. 000000000012282

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
29 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
319
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bell Road over Swan Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bell Road over Swan Creek in Wayne County, Michigan. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 years old, older than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 319 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 367 by 2015. The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBell Road
CrossesSwan Creek
LocationHuron N/Will Carleton
RouteCounty Highway 8219
CountyWayne County
StateMichigan
Coordinates42.09937, -83.38656
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating70.3 US tons
Inventory rating42.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length29 ft (8.8 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.2 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic319 (1989)
Projected traffic367 by 2015
Trucks1%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bell Road over Swan Creek built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bell Road over Swan Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in August 2024.

How much traffic does Bell Road over Swan Creek carry?

About 319 vehicles per day (1989 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Bell Road over Swan Creek?

The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.2 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Bell Road over Swan Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.