US Bridges

SR 227 over Scarham Creek

Fair

DeKalb County, Alabama · 2 MI N JCT SR68 * SR227 · Structure no. 003145

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
170 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
2,211
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 227 over Scarham Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying SR 227 over Scarham Creek in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 2,211 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,095 by 2042. The structure is 170 ft (51.8 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesSR 227
CrossesScarham Creek
Location2 MI N JCT SR68 * SR227
RouteState Highway 227
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.30524, -85.99283
Functional classRural Major 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
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 inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.2 US tons
Inventory rating29.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length170 ft (51.8 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,211 (2022)
Projected traffic3,095 by 2042
Trucks4%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$1.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 227 over Scarham Creek built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR 227 over Scarham 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does SR 227 over Scarham Creek carry?

About 2,211 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is SR 227 over Scarham Creek?

The structure is 170 ft (51.8 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns SR 227 over Scarham Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.