US Bridges

Fern Road over Calloway Creek

Fair

Elmore County, Alabama · 1.1 M. W. of Al. 143 · Structure no. 017993

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
57 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
75
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fern Road over Calloway Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Fern Road over Calloway Creek in Elmore County, Alabama. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 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 75 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 91 by 2033. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFern Road
CrossesCalloway Creek
Location1.1 M. W. of Al. 143
RouteCounty Highway 257
CountyElmore County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.61672, -86.33344
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating77.2 US tons
Inventory rating46.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (2023)
Projected traffic91 by 2033
Trucks16%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$552,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fern Road over Calloway Creek built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fern Road over Calloway 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Fern Road over Calloway Creek carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is Fern Road over Calloway Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Fern Road over Calloway Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.