US Bridges

County Highway over Blackwater Creek

FairPosted for load

Escambia County, Alabama · 1MI E Bradley · Structure no. 005785

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
293 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
675
1988 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Blackwater Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Blackwater Creek in Escambia County, Alabama. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 675 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 979 by 2034. The structure is 293 ft (89.3 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBlackwater Creek
Location1MI E Bradley
RouteCounty Highway 4
CountyEscambia County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.02766, -86.70958
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating38.9 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+7 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length293 ft (89.3 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic675 (1988)
Projected traffic979 by 2034
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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$1.7 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Blackwater Creek built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Blackwater 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Blackwater Creek carry?

About 675 vehicles per day (1988 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is County Highway over Blackwater Creek?

The structure is 293 ft (89.3 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Blackwater Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.