US Bridges

College Ave over Little Wills Creek

FairPosted for load

DeKalb County, Alabama · Between Main * Reed ST · Structure no. 000294

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
80 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
61
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

College Ave over Little Wills Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying College Ave over Little Wills Creek in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1925, so it is 100 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 61 vehicles a day, projected to reach 85 by 2044. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCollege Ave
CrossesLittle Wills Creek
LocationBetween Main * Reed ST
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.2657, -85.8609
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 inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating18.8 US tons
Inventory rating13.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans4
Design loadH 10
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic61 (2024)
Projected traffic85 by 2044
Trucks0%
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$549,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was College Ave over Little Wills Creek built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025.

What condition is College Ave over Little Wills 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does College Ave over Little Wills Creek carry?

About 61 vehicles per day (2024 count).

How long is College Ave over Little Wills Creek?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns College Ave over Little Wills Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.