US Bridges

County Road 72 over East Fork Blacks Creek

Fair

Dale County, Alabama · SEC-7 T-7-N R-24-E · Structure no. 012814

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
68 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2005 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 72 over East Fork Blacks Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying County Road 72 over East Fork Blacks Creek in Dale County, Alabama. It was built in 1982, so it is 43 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 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 297 by 2034. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 72
CrossesEast Fork Blacks Creek
LocationSEC-7 T-7-N R-24-E
RouteCounty Highway 72
CountyDale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.60226, -85.67293
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2005)
Projected traffic297 by 2034
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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$535,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 72 over East Fork Blacks Creek built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 72 over East Fork Blacks 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 72 over East Fork Blacks Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2005 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is County Road 72 over East Fork Blacks Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 72 over East Fork Blacks Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.