US Bridges

Nichols Road over Locust Fork

Good

Etowah County, Alabama · 0.5 MI E of Warrior Vally · Structure no. 018844

Built
2003
22 years old
Condition
Good
inspected August 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
160 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
95
2003 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nichols Road over Locust Fork is a concrete channel beam carrying Nichols Road over Locust Fork 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 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 95 vehicles a day, projected to reach 142 by 2031. The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesNichols Road
CrossesLocust Fork
Location0.5 MI E of Warrior Vally
RouteCounty Highway 68
CountyEtowah County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.01876, -86.28219
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating61.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length160 ft (48.8 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic95 (2003)
Projected traffic142 by 2031
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$1.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nichols Road over Locust Fork built?

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

What condition is Nichols Road over Locust Fork 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Nichols Road over Locust Fork carry?

About 95 vehicles per day (2003 count).

How long is Nichols Road over Locust Fork?

The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Nichols Road over Locust Fork?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.