US Bridges

Friendship Road over Wallahatchee Creek

Fair

Elmore County, Alabama · Friendship RD · Structure no. 010937

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
285 ft
15 main spans
Daily traffic
2,200
2004 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Friendship Road over Wallahatchee Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Friendship Road over Wallahatchee Creek in Elmore County, Alabama. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 2,200 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,000 by 2032. The structure is 285 ft (87 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFriendship Road
CrossesWallahatchee Creek
LocationFriendship RD
RouteCounty Highway 8
CountyElmore County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.53661, -85.94846
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating62.8 US tons
Inventory rating37.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans15
Design loadH 15
Structure length285 ft (87 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,200 (2004)
Projected traffic3,000 by 2032
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Friendship Road over Wallahatchee Creek built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Friendship Road over Wallahatchee 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Friendship Road over Wallahatchee Creek carry?

About 2,200 vehicles per day (2004 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Friendship Road over Wallahatchee Creek?

The structure is 285 ft (87 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Friendship Road over Wallahatchee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.