US Bridges

Canaan Road over Watson Creek

Fair

Baldwin County, Alabama · 2.1 Mi. Nw. of AL.HWY.59 · Structure no. 016352

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
75 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
300
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Canaan Road over Watson Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Canaan Road over Watson Creek in Baldwin County, Alabama. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 years old, younger than the Alabama average of 51.1 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 488 by 2044. The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCanaan Road
CrossesWatson Creek
Location2.1 Mi. Nw. of AL.HWY.59
RouteCounty Highway 21
CountyBaldwin County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.04245, -87.8543
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating97.2 US tons
Inventory rating58.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length75 ft (22.9 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width33 ft (10 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2024)
Projected traffic488 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$752,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Canaan Road over Watson Creek built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is Canaan Road over Watson Creek 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does Canaan Road over Watson Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Canaan Road over Watson Creek?

The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Canaan Road over Watson Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.