US Bridges

Cherokee #15 over Branch

Fair

Cherokee County, Alabama · 7 MI N JCT SR 35 · Structure no. 003211

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
21 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
133
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cherokee #15 over Branch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Cherokee #15 over Branch in Cherokee County, Alabama. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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. Its operating status is: open, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring.

It carries about 133 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 198 by 2040. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesCherokee #15
CrossesBranch
Location7 MI N JCT SR 35
RouteCounty Highway 15
CountyCherokee County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.44631, -85.52427
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating9 US tons
Inventory rating2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic133 (2020)
Projected traffic198 by 2040
Trucks15%
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$248,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cherokee #15 over Branch built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cherokee #15 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 Cherokee #15 over Branch carry?

About 133 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Cherokee #15 over Branch?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Cherokee #15 over Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.