Van Buren County Bridge Report Card
Van Buren County scores 75 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Van Buren County, Michigan
Van Buren County has 130 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 11 rated poor and 3 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 8.5% is at or below the 11.0% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 18,687 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Van Buren County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 75/100 (C). The county has 130 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 11 in poor condition and 3 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 18,687 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 8.5% | 16.9 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.1% of measured traffic | 2.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 2.3% | 4.6 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 50 years vs 48 nationally | 1.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 599,012 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 8.5% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 11.0% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 2.3% |
| Average Bridge Age | 50 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 18,687 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Van Buren County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M-40 over I-94 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,601 | 1960 |
| Main ST Overpass over Amtrak Railroad | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,023 | 1980 |
| Pinery Road over Paw Paw River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,030 | 1964 |
| Hamilton Road over Black River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 800 | 1974 |
| 40th Street over Paw Paw River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 780 | 1970 |
| 8th AVE over S Br Black River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 705 | 1967 |
| 28th AVE over S Br Black River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 468 | 1992 |
| CR 665 over Paw Paw River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 458 | 1969 |
| 2nd Avenue over Mentha Drain | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 420 | 1950 |
| 48th Avenue over Rogers Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 309 | 1972 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.