US Bridges

Appalachian Rd. over Coosa River

Fair

Etowah County, Alabama · 3.5 MI N of Hokes Bluff · Structure no. 009817

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
783 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,000
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Appalachian Rd. over Coosa River is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying Appalachian Rd. over Coosa River in Etowah County, Alabama. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,391 by 2035. The structure is 783 ft (238.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.2 mi (39 km).

Location

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CarriesAppalachian Rd.
CrossesCoosa River
Location3.5 MI N of Hokes Bluff
RouteCounty Highway 287
CountyEtowah County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.04016, -85.86687
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating54.9 US tons
Inventory rating32.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+5 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length783 ft (238.7 m)
Longest span180 ft (54.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (1991)
Projected traffic2,391 by 2035
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.2 mi (39 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$5.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Appalachian Rd. over Coosa River built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Appalachian Rd. over Coosa River 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Appalachian Rd. over Coosa River carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (1991 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Appalachian Rd. over Coosa River?

The structure is 783 ft (238.7 m) long with a longest span of 180 ft (54.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Appalachian Rd. over Coosa River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.