US Bridges

Wages Road over Polley Creek

Fair

Covington County, Alabama · Wages Road · Structure no. 011900

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 1978
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
136 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
121
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wages Road over Polley Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Wages Road over Polley Creek in Covington County, Alabama. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 1978, so it is 93 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 121 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 141 by 2034. The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWages Road
CrossesPolley Creek
LocationWages Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCovington County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.34592, -86.29666
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating44.8 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length136 ft (41.5 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic121 (2012)
Projected traffic141 by 2034
Trucks1%
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wages Road over Polley Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1978.

What condition is Wages Road over Polley 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 Wages Road over Polley Creek carry?

About 121 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Wages Road over Polley Creek?

The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Wages Road over Polley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.