US Bridges

Bruton Gap Rd. over Big Wills Creek

Good

Etowah County, Alabama · 0.4 MI S of Duck Springs · Structure no. 005701

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Good
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
395 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,000
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bruton Gap Rd. over Big Wills Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bruton Gap Rd. over Big Wills Creek in Etowah 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 2,000 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,860 by 2034. The structure is 395 ft (120.4 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

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CarriesBruton Gap Rd.
CrossesBig Wills Creek
Location0.4 MI S of Duck Springs
RouteCounty Highway 227
CountyEtowah County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.09796, -86.03831
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating39.2 US tons
Inventory rating23.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+9 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length395 ft (120.4 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.1 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,000 (2003)
Projected traffic2,860 by 2034
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$2.5 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bruton Gap Rd. over Big Wills Creek built?

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

What condition is Bruton Gap Rd. over Big Wills Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in June 2024.

How much traffic does Bruton Gap Rd. over Big Wills Creek carry?

About 2,000 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Bruton Gap Rd. over Big Wills Creek?

The structure is 395 ft (120.4 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.1 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Bruton Gap Rd. over Big Wills Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.