US Bridges

Church Ave over Little Wills Creek

Good

DeKalb County, Alabama · 0.2 MI N of Church ST · Structure no. 015450

Built
1991
34 years old
Condition
Good
inspected April 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
102 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
60
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Church Ave over Little Wills Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Church Ave over Little Wills Creek in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1991, so it is 34 years old, younger than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 60 vehicles a day, projected to reach 78 by 2043. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesChurch Ave
CrossesLittle Wills Creek
Location0.2 MI N of Church ST
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.25833, -85.855
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating71.4 US tons
Inventory rating42.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2023)
Projected traffic78 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 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$568,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Church Ave over Little Wills Creek built?

It was built in 1991, making it 34 years old in 2025.

What condition is Church Ave over Little Wills Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in April 2023.

How much traffic does Church Ave over Little Wills Creek carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is Church Ave over Little Wills Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Church Ave over Little Wills Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.