US Bridges

Baltzell Gate Road over Branch

Fair

Calhoun County, Alabama · 1.818 MI NE Al 21 · Structure no. 020446

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
27 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
5,000
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Baltzell Gate Road over Branch is a concrete culvert carrying Baltzell Gate Road over Branch in Calhoun County, Alabama. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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 5,000 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,000 by 2042. The structure is 27 ft (8.3 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBaltzell Gate Road
CrossesBranch
Location1.818 MI NE Al 21
RouteCity Street 0
CountyCalhoun County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.71667, -85.8
Functional classUrban 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating48.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length27 ft (8.3 m)
Longest span6 ft (1.8 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,000 (2022)
Projected traffic7,000 by 2042
Trucks10%
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

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$332,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Baltzell Gate Road over Branch built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is Baltzell Gate 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Baltzell Gate Road over Branch carry?

About 5,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Baltzell Gate Road over Branch?

The structure is 27 ft (8.3 m) long with a longest span of 6 ft (1.8 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns Baltzell Gate Road over Branch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.