US Bridges

Balm Road over Sofkahatchee Creek

Fair

Elmore County, Alabama · Sec 15 T19E · Structure no. 011446

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
57 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
420
1998 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Balm Road over Sofkahatchee Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Balm Road over Sofkahatchee Creek in Elmore County, Alabama. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 6 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 420 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 460 by 2031. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesBalm Road
CrossesSofkahatchee Creek
LocationSec 15 T19E
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyElmore County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.6277, -86.15341
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating62.8 US tons
Inventory rating37.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length57 ft (17.4 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 traffic420 (1998)
Projected traffic460 by 2031
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$496,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Balm Road over Sofkahatchee Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Balm Road over Sofkahatchee 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 2023.

How much traffic does Balm Road over Sofkahatchee Creek carry?

About 420 vehicles per day (1998 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Balm Road over Sofkahatchee Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Balm Road over Sofkahatchee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.