US Bridges

County Road 43 over Bear Creek

Fair

Barbour County, Alabama · 0.5 MI NW of COUNTY53 · Structure no. 003456

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
51 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
80
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 43 over Bear Creek is a concrete culvert carrying County Road 43 over Bear Creek in Barbour County, Alabama. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 years old, older 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 80 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 100 by 2037. The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 43
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.5 MI NW of COUNTY53
RouteCounty Highway 43
CountyBarbour County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.67558, -85.45457
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating70.2 US tons
Inventory rating42.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length51 ft (15.5 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic80 (2017)
Projected traffic100 by 2037
Trucks10%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$569,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 43 over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 43 over Bear 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 43 over Bear Creek carry?

About 80 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road 43 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m).

Who owns County Road 43 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.