US Bridges

County Road over Bell Creek

FairPosted for load

Escambia County, Alabama · 1.5 MI N Poarch · Structure no. 013855

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
68 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
65
1988 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road over Bell Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road over Bell Creek in Escambia County, Alabama. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 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 65 vehicles a day, projected to reach 95 by 2034. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road
CrossesBell Creek
Location1.5 MI N Poarch
RouteCounty Highway 28
CountyEscambia County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.14254, -87.51426
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating23.8 US tons
Inventory rating17.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic65 (1988)
Projected traffic95 by 2034
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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$428,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road over Bell Creek built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road over Bell 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 Bell Creek carry?

About 65 vehicles per day (1988 count).

How long is County Road over Bell Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Road over Bell Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.