US Bridges

County Road 71 over Little Dry Creek

Good

Etowah County, Alabama · 0.4 MI Past Rocky Ford RD · Structure no. 018804

Built
2003
22 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,600
2002 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 71 over Little Dry Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying County Road 71 over Little Dry Creek in Etowah County, Alabama. It was built in 2003, so it is 22 years old, younger 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 1,600 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,072 by 2035. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 71
CrossesLittle Dry Creek
Location0.4 MI Past Rocky Ford RD
RouteCounty Highway 221
CountyEtowah County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.00499, -85.84852
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 inspectionOctober 2023
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating61.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,600 (2002)
Projected traffic3,072 by 2035
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$932,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 71 over Little Dry Creek built?

It was built in 2003, making it 22 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 71 over Little Dry 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 71 over Little Dry Creek carry?

About 1,600 vehicles per day (2002 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road 71 over Little Dry Creek?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 71 over Little Dry Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.