US Bridges

Briarwood Lane over Branch

FairPosted for load

Cullman County, Alabama · 0.1 MI N JCT Cottonwood L · Structure no. 010360

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
21 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
489
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Briarwood Lane over Branch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Briarwood Lane over Branch in Cullman County, Alabama. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 489 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 572 by 2044. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesBriarwood Lane
CrossesBranch
Location0.1 MI N JCT Cottonwood L
RouteCity Street 0
CountyCullman County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.15373, -86.82522
Functional classUrban 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.
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
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 rating9.5 US tons
Inventory rating2.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic489 (2024)
Projected traffic572 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$266,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Briarwood Lane over Branch built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Briarwood Lane over Branch 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Briarwood Lane over Branch carry?

About 489 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Briarwood Lane over Branch?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Briarwood Lane over Branch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.