US Bridges

48th ST over Big Wills Creek

Fair

DeKalb County, Alabama · 0.65 MI E of US 11 · Structure no. 010765

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
68 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
90
2025 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

48th ST over Big Wills Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying 48th ST over Big Wills Creek in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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 90 vehicles a day, projected to reach 125 by 2045. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries48th ST
CrossesBig Wills Creek
Location0.65 MI E of US 11
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.50368, -85.69014
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating26.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic90 (2025)
Projected traffic125 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$557,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 48th ST over Big Wills Creek built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is 48th ST over Big 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does 48th ST over Big Wills Creek carry?

About 90 vehicles per day (2025 count).

How long is 48th ST over Big Wills Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns 48th ST over Big Wills Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.