US Bridges

CO Rt 159 over Flat Rock Creek

Fair

DeKalb County, Alabama · 1 MI E Jackson CO T3SR9E · Structure no. 008877

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
53 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
112
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CO Rt 159 over Flat Rock Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying CO Rt 159 over Flat Rock Creek in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 5 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 112 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 166 by 2044. The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCO Rt 159
CrossesFlat Rock Creek
Location1 MI E Jackson CO T3SR9E
RouteCounty Highway 144
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.74448, -85.6738
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44.5 US tons
Inventory rating26.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadH 10
Structure length53 ft (16.2 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic112 (2024)
Projected traffic166 by 2044
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$433,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CO Rt 159 over Flat Rock Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is CO Rt 159 over Flat Rock 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does CO Rt 159 over Flat Rock Creek carry?

About 112 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is CO Rt 159 over Flat Rock Creek?

The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns CO Rt 159 over Flat Rock Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.