US Bridges

Airport Ave over Wills Creek

Fair

DeKalb County, Alabama · 1.5 MI N of SR 35 · Structure no. 007081

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
234 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,600
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Airport Ave over Wills Creek is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Airport Ave over Wills Creek 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 3,600 vehicles a day, roughly 28% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,650 by 2044. The structure is 234 ft (71.3 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAirport Ave
CrossesWills Creek
Location1.5 MI N of SR 35
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.44817, -85.74604
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy5: 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 rating41.4 US tons
Inventory rating24.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+3 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length234 ft (71.3 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,600 (2024)
Projected traffic4,650 by 2044
Trucks28%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 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 Airport Ave over Wills Creek built?

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

What condition is Airport Ave over 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Airport Ave over Wills Creek carry?

About 3,600 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 28% are trucks.

How long is Airport Ave over Wills Creek?

The structure is 234 ft (71.3 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Airport Ave over Wills Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.