US Bridges

County Road 43 over Reedy Creek

PoorPosted for load

DeKalb County, Alabama · Sec. 25 T6S R6E · Structure no. 020774

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
534
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 43 over Reedy Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying County Road 43 over Reedy Creek in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 years old, older than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 534 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 794 by 2043. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 43
CrossesReedy Creek
LocationSec. 25 T6S R6E
RouteCounty Highway 43
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.48301, -85.96619
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating26.8 US tons
Inventory rating16.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic534 (2023)
Projected traffic794 by 2043
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$290,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 43 over Reedy Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 43 over Reedy Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in May 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 43 over Reedy Creek carry?

About 534 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Road 43 over Reedy Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 43 over Reedy Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.