US Bridges

County Road 55 over Mulberry River

FairPosted for load

Blount County, Alabama · 4 MI N of Blountsville · Structure no. 006571

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
260 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
805
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 55 over Mulberry River is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying County Road 55 over Mulberry River in Blount County, Alabama. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 805 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,196 by 2043. The structure is 260 ft (79.2 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 55
CrossesMulberry River
Location4 MI N of Blountsville
RouteCounty Highway 55
CountyBlount County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.13534, -86.59471
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating43 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length260 ft (79.2 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic805 (2023)
Projected traffic1,196 by 2043
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.6 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 55 over Mulberry River built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 55 over Mulberry River 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 55 over Mulberry River carry?

About 805 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is County Road 55 over Mulberry River?

The structure is 260 ft (79.2 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 55 over Mulberry River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.