US Bridges

SR4 / US 78 over Town Creek

Fair

Cleburne County, Alabama · Town of Edwardsville · Structure no. 004998

Built
1929
96 years old, rebuilt 1955
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
80 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,367
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR4 / US 78 over Town Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying SR4 / US 78 over Town Creek in Cleburne County, Alabama. It was built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1955, so it is 96 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 2,367 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,313 by 2041. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR4 / US 78
CrossesTown Creek
LocationTown of Edwardsville
RouteU.S. Route 78
CountyCleburne County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.70924, -85.50532
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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 inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating62.1 US tons
Inventory rating37.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,367 (2021)
Projected traffic3,313 by 2041
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$749,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR4 / US 78 over Town Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1955.

What condition is SR4 / US 78 over Town 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does SR4 / US 78 over Town Creek carry?

About 2,367 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is SR4 / US 78 over Town Creek?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns SR4 / US 78 over Town Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.