Bridges of Washtenaw County

Current Bridge Activity

(Dexter) Main Street Bridge
East Delhi Road Bridge
Harris Road Bridge
Liberty Road Bridge
Schleweis Road Box Culvert

Background on Washtenaw County's Bridges & Culverts

The Road Commission currently oversees the maintenance and replacement of Washtenaw County's 112 bridges that span at least 20-feet or more in length, as well a multitude of short-span bridges and culverts (under 20-feet).

Per the Federal Register, 23 CFR Part 650, bridges must receive a routine inspection every two years. The Road Commission hires a licensed bridge inspector, who conducts the biennial inspections and provides written recommendations for bridge closures and any weight limit restriction changes. At the discretion of the Road Commission, any bridge with less than a 25-ton weight limit posting will receive an annual inspection, (instead of every two years), so as to monitor any structural deterioration. A newly constructed or replaced bridge is "unposted," as it can withhold a weight capacity in excess of 77 tons, the full legal load limit.

The closure of a structure is required when the weight limit falls below 3 tons, and/or whenever severe deterioration and structural failure of beams and/or abutments has been determined by the bridge inspector. Motorists traversing structures with loads exceeding the posted weight restrictions are guilty of a civil infraction and subject to a civil fine, as set forth in Michigan Vehicle Code, Public Act 300 of 1949, Section MCL 257.631. For your safety and that of the other motorists, the Washtenaw County Road Commission advises strict adherence to bridge weight restrictions.

A structure is considered to be a “bridge” when it spans 20-feet or more; bridges are eligible to receive grant funding (approximately 95%) through the Michigan Department of Transportation Local Bridge Program (LBP).

This state and/or federally funded program requires a 5% matching contribution from a local source, typically the road commission, who is also responsible for all costs associated with design, construction inspection, materials testing, right-of-way acquisitions, and other preliminary engineering work. Routine maintenance and repair costs associated with bridges are 100% paid for by the road commission and/or other local sources.

Maintenance and replacement of short-span bridges and culverts are the sole responsibility of the local agency and must be 100% funded through the road commission, unless funding assistance is provided by another local source, such as townships, villages, cities and/or a Special Assessment District (SAD).