US Bridges

Wesson Gap Road over Big Wills Creek

Good

Etowah County, Alabama · 1 Mile N of Attalla · Structure no. 018841

Built
2018
7 years old
Condition
Good
inspected January 2024
Type
Truss - Deck
Steel
Length
232 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
175
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wesson Gap Road over Big Wills Creek is a steel truss - deck carrying Wesson Gap Road over Big Wills Creek in Etowah County, Alabama. It was built in 2018, so it is 7 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 9 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 175 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 210 by 2018. The structure is 232 ft (70.8 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWesson Gap Road
CrossesBig Wills Creek
Location1 Mile N of Attalla
RouteCounty Highway 344
CountyEtowah County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.04648, -86.08587
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
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 alignment9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.3 US tons
Inventory rating2.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length232 ft (70.8 m)
Longest span132 ft (40.3 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic175 (1991)
Projected traffic210 by 2018
Trucks2%
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$1.8 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wesson Gap Road over Big Wills Creek built?

It was built in 2018, making it 7 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wesson Gap Road 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Wesson Gap Road over Big Wills Creek carry?

About 175 vehicles per day (1991 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Wesson Gap Road over Big Wills Creek?

The structure is 232 ft (70.8 m) long with a longest span of 132 ft (40.3 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Wesson Gap Road over Big Wills Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.