US Bridges

County RD 3 over Blackwater Creek

Fair

Covington County, Alabama · CO RD 3 · Structure no. 007523

Built
1933
92 years old, rebuilt 1962
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
170 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
140
1994 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County RD 3 over Blackwater Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying County RD 3 over Blackwater Creek in Covington County, Alabama. It was built in 1933 and reconstructed in 1962, so it is 92 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 140 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 172 by 2030. The structure is 170 ft (51.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty RD 3
CrossesBlackwater Creek
LocationCO RD 3
RouteCounty Highway 3
CountyCovington County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.05, -86.63902
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating43.3 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length170 ft (51.8 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic140 (1994)
Projected traffic172 by 2030
Trucks5%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$1.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County RD 3 over Blackwater Creek built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1962.

What condition is County RD 3 over Blackwater 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does County RD 3 over Blackwater Creek carry?

About 140 vehicles per day (1994 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County RD 3 over Blackwater Creek?

The structure is 170 ft (51.8 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County RD 3 over Blackwater Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.