US Bridges

County Road over Cowpen Creek

FairPosted for load

Escambia County, Alabama · 2MI N Sardis Church · Structure no. 011247

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
95 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
450
1988 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road over Cowpen Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying County Road over Cowpen Creek in Escambia County, Alabama. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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 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 450 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 653 by 2034. The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road
CrossesCowpen Creek
Location2MI N Sardis Church
RouteCounty Highway 51
CountyEscambia County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.05893, -87.3432
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating42.7 US tons
Inventory rating25.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length95 ft (29 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (1988)
Projected traffic653 by 2034
Trucks10%
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$690,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road over Cowpen Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road over Cowpen 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does County Road over Cowpen Creek carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (1988 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road over Cowpen Creek?

The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns County Road over Cowpen Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.