US Bridges

CO 55 over Terrapin Creek

Fair

Cleburne County, Alabama · CO 55 Terrapin Creek · Structure no. 011919

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
119 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
300
2009 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CO 55 over Terrapin Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying CO 55 over Terrapin Creek in Cleburne County, Alabama. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 years old, younger 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 550 by 2035. The structure is 119 ft (36.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.2 mi (39 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCO 55
CrossesTerrapin Creek
LocationCO 55 Terrapin Creek
RouteCounty Highway 55
CountyCleburne County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.86017, -85.52447
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating28.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length119 ft (36.4 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2009)
Projected traffic550 by 2035
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.2 mi (39 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$791,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CO 55 over Terrapin Creek built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is CO 55 over Terrapin 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does CO 55 over Terrapin Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2009 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is CO 55 over Terrapin Creek?

The structure is 119 ft (36.4 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns CO 55 over Terrapin Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.