US Bridges

Duck Springs Rd. over Valley Creek

Fair

Etowah County, Alabama · @ Duck Springs School · Structure no. 004476

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
42 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
840
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Duck Springs Rd. over Valley Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Duck Springs Rd. over Valley Creek in Etowah County, Alabama. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 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 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 840 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 840 by 2033. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesDuck Springs Rd.
CrossesValley Creek
Location@ Duck Springs School
RouteCounty Highway 227
CountyEtowah County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.14326, -86.00136
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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating41.4 US tons
Inventory rating24.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span10 ft (3.2 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic840 (2003)
Projected traffic840 by 2033
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$372,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Duck Springs Rd. over Valley Creek built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Duck Springs Rd. over Valley 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Duck Springs Rd. over Valley Creek carry?

About 840 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Duck Springs Rd. over Valley Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3.2 m).

Who owns Duck Springs Rd. over Valley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.