US Bridges

CO Rt 731 Seq.Cave over I-59

Fair

DeKalb County, Alabama · CR 731 Ovp. MP 236.2 · Structure no. 006772

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
265 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CO Rt 731 Seq.Cave over I-59 is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying CO Rt 731 Seq.Cave over I-59 in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 280 by 2042. The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCO Rt 731 Seq.Cave
CrossesI-59
LocationCR 731 Ovp. MP 236.2
RouteCounty Highway 731
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.65672, -85.60371
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.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating43.7 US tons
Inventory rating28.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length265 ft (80.8 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.3 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2022)
Projected traffic280 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.9 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was CO Rt 731 Seq.Cave over I-59 built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is CO Rt 731 Seq.Cave over I-59 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 2024.

How much traffic does CO Rt 731 Seq.Cave over I-59 carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is CO Rt 731 Seq.Cave over I-59?

The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.3 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns CO Rt 731 Seq.Cave over I-59?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.