US Bridges

Gadsden Road over Branch

Fair

Calhoun County, Alabama · Gadsden RD · Structure no. 001885

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
44 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
869
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gadsden Road over Branch is a concrete slab carrying Gadsden Road over Branch in Calhoun County, Alabama. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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.

It carries about 869 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,370 by 2044. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesGadsden Road
CrossesBranch
LocationGadsden RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCalhoun County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.82362, -85.7817
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic869 (2021)
Projected traffic1,370 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$304,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gadsden Road over Branch built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gadsden Road over Branch 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Gadsden Road over Branch carry?

About 869 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Gadsden Road over Branch?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Gadsden Road over Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.