US Bridges

Leeth Gap Rd. over Owens Creek

FairPosted for load

Etowah County, Alabama · Leeth Gap RD @ Roy Whitt · Structure no. 001515

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
88 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,336
2005 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Leeth Gap Rd. over Owens Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Leeth Gap Rd. over Owens Creek in Etowah County, Alabama. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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 1,336 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,420 by 2035. The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesLeeth Gap Rd.
CrossesOwens Creek
LocationLeeth Gap RD @ Roy Whitt
RouteCounty Highway 337
CountyEtowah County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.18685, -86.08371
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 within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating20.9 US tons
Inventory rating12.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length88 ft (26.8 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,336 (2005)
Projected traffic2,420 by 2035
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$569,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Leeth Gap Rd. over Owens Creek built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is Leeth Gap Rd. over Owens 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 Leeth Gap Rd. over Owens Creek carry?

About 1,336 vehicles per day (2005 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Leeth Gap Rd. over Owens Creek?

The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Leeth Gap Rd. over Owens Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.