US Bridges

East Patton Road over Graveyard Creek

Fair

Elmore County, Alabama · Sec 12 T18N R21E · Structure no. 011946

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
57 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
300
1998 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

East Patton Road over Graveyard Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying East Patton Road over Graveyard Creek in Elmore 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 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 330 by 2031. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesEast Patton Road
CrossesGraveyard Creek
LocationSec 12 T18N R21E
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyElmore County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.55667, -85.915
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.5 US tons
Inventory rating36.2 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 traffic300 (1998)
Projected traffic330 by 2031
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$497,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was East Patton Road over Graveyard Creek built?

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

What condition is East Patton Road over Graveyard 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does East Patton Road over Graveyard Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (1998 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is East Patton Road over Graveyard 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 East Patton Road over Graveyard Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.