US Bridges

County Road 71 over Ball Play Creek

FairPosted for load

Etowah County, Alabama · 0.2 MI SE of Creekside DR · Structure no. 007505

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
272 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
936
2004 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 71 over Ball Play Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying County Road 71 over Ball Play Creek in Etowah County, Alabama. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 936 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,395 by 2032. The structure is 272 ft (82.9 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 71
CrossesBall Play Creek
Location0.2 MI SE of Creekside DR
RouteCounty Highway 221
CountyEtowah County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.06104, -85.80659
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47.6 US tons
Inventory rating28.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8
Design loadH 15
Structure length272 ft (82.9 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic936 (2004)
Projected traffic1,395 by 2032
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$1.8 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 71 over Ball Play Creek built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 71 over Ball Play 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 71 over Ball Play Creek carry?

About 936 vehicles per day (2004 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road 71 over Ball Play Creek?

The structure is 272 ft (82.9 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 71 over Ball Play Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.