US Bridges

Tening Road over Little Palmer Creek

FairPosted for load

Geneva County, Alabama · 5 MI N of Samson · Structure no. 003971

Built
1951
74 years old, rebuilt 1993
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
52 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
36
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tening Road over Little Palmer Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Tening Road over Little Palmer Creek in Geneva County, Alabama. It was built in 1951 and reconstructed in 1993, 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 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 36 vehicles a day, projected to reach 50 by 2044. The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesTening Road
CrossesLittle Palmer Creek
Location5 MI N of Samson
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGeneva County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.18517, -86.03453
Functional classRural Local

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 inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating35.1 US tons
Inventory rating25.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length52 ft (15.8 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic36 (2024)
Projected traffic50 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$273,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tening Road over Little Palmer Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1993.

What condition is Tening Road over Little Palmer 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Tening Road over Little Palmer Creek carry?

About 36 vehicles per day (2024 count).

How long is Tening Road over Little Palmer Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Tening Road over Little Palmer Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.