US Bridges

SR4/US78 over Muscadine Creek

Fair

Cleburne County, Alabama · 2.7 MI W Ala / Ga Line · Structure no. 004999

Built
1929
96 years old, rebuilt 1955
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
130 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
2,458
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR4/US78 over Muscadine Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying SR4/US78 over Muscadine 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 2,458 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,441 by 2043. The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR4/US78
CrossesMuscadine Creek
Location2.7 MI W Ala / Ga Line
RouteU.S. Route 78
CountyCleburne County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.74075, -85.40579
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.8 US tons
Inventory rating36.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length130 ft (39.6 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,458 (2023)
Projected traffic3,441 by 2043
Trucks8%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$1.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR4/US78 over Muscadine Creek built?

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

What condition is SR4/US78 over Muscadine 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does SR4/US78 over Muscadine Creek carry?

About 2,458 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is SR4/US78 over Muscadine Creek?

The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns SR4/US78 over Muscadine Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.