US Bridges

SR 187 over Little Bear Creek

Fair

Franklin County, Alabama · 6 M S JCT SR 187 & SR 24 · Structure no. 004156

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
216 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
451
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 187 over Little Bear Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR 187 over Little Bear Creek in Franklin County, Alabama. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 5 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 451 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 512 by 2033. The structure is 216 ft (65.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.3 mi (31 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR 187
CrossesLittle Bear Creek
Location6 M S JCT SR 187 & SR 24
RouteState Highway 187
CountyFranklin County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.40094, -87.87364
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating57.9 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20
Structure length216 ft (65.8 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic451 (2023)
Projected traffic512 by 2033
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed19.3 mi (31 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 187 over Little Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR 187 over Little Bear 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does SR 187 over Little Bear Creek carry?

About 451 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SR 187 over Little Bear Creek?

The structure is 216 ft (65.8 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns SR 187 over Little Bear Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.