US Bridges

Co. Rt. 703 over Duck Creek

Fair

Cullman County, Alabama · CR 703 East · Structure no. 005556

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
313 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
600
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Rt. 703 over Duck Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Co. Rt. 703 over Duck Creek in Cullman County, Alabama. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 600 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 700 by 2033. The structure is 313 ft (95.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

CarriesCo. Rt. 703
CrossesDuck Creek
LocationCR 703 East
RouteCounty Highway 38
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.13051, -86.70468
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.7 US tons
Inventory rating26.1 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadH 15
Structure length313 ft (95.4 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic600 (1991)
Projected traffic700 by 2033
Trucks15%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.9 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Rt. 703 over Duck Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co. Rt. 703 over Duck 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Co. Rt. 703 over Duck Creek carry?

About 600 vehicles per day (1991 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Co. Rt. 703 over Duck Creek?

The structure is 313 ft (95.4 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Rt. 703 over Duck Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.