US Bridges

Co. Rd. 48 over Straight Creek

Fair

DeKalb County, Alabama · .5 MI W CO Rt 47 T6SR7E · Structure no. 012039

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
68 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
189
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Rd. 48 over Straight Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Co. Rd. 48 over Straight Creek in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 years old, younger 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 189 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 281 by 2044. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCo. Rd. 48
CrossesStraight Creek
Location.5 MI W CO Rt 47 T6SR7E
RouteCounty Highway 94
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.50519, -85.93632
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
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 inspectionAugust 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating47.8 US tons
Inventory rating28.5 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 width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic189 (2024)
Projected traffic281 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$515,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Rd. 48 over Straight Creek built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co. Rd. 48 over Straight 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Co. Rd. 48 over Straight Creek carry?

About 189 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Co. Rd. 48 over Straight Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Rd. 48 over Straight Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.