US Bridges

AL-7 over Spencers Creek

Fair

Greene County, Alabama · 2.5 MI S I-59 · Structure no. 001546

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
63 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,440
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

AL-7 over Spencers Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying AL-7 over Spencers Creek in Greene County, Alabama. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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.

It carries about 1,440 vehicles a day, roughly 23% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,887 by 2041. The structure is 63 ft (19.1 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAL-7
CrossesSpencers Creek
Location2.5 MI S I-59
RouteU.S. Route 11
CountyGreene County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.94603, -87.80447
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating41.2 US tons
Inventory rating24.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length63 ft (19.1 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,440 (2020)
Projected traffic1,887 by 2041
Trucks23%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$519,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was AL-7 over Spencers Creek built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is AL-7 over Spencers 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does AL-7 over Spencers Creek carry?

About 1,440 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 23% are trucks.

How long is AL-7 over Spencers Creek?

The structure is 63 ft (19.1 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns AL-7 over Spencers Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.