US Bridges

Butts Road over Copeland Creek

Fair

Blount County, Alabama · 2.5MI SW Blountsville · Structure no. 016978

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 1996
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
37 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
73
2025 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Butts Road over Copeland Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Butts Road over Copeland Creek in Blount County, Alabama. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 1996, 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 73 vehicles a day, projected to reach 108 by 2045. The structure is 37 ft (11.4 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesButts Road
CrossesCopeland Creek
Location2.5MI SW Blountsville
RouteCounty Highway 16
CountyBlount County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.0639, -86.6307
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating83.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length37 ft (11.4 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.9 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic73 (2025)
Projected traffic108 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$220,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Butts Road over Copeland Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1996.

What condition is Butts Road over Copeland 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 2025.

How much traffic does Butts Road over Copeland Creek carry?

About 73 vehicles per day (2025 count).

How long is Butts Road over Copeland Creek?

The structure is 37 ft (11.4 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.9 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Butts Road over Copeland Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.