US Bridges

County Rt 21 over Big Brush Creek

FairPosted for load

Hale County, Alabama · 6.9 Mi. N. of Greensboro · Structure no. 003428

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
238 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
200
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Rt 21 over Big Brush Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying County Rt 21 over Big Brush Creek in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1949, so it is 76 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2034. The structure is 238 ft (72.5 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Rt 21
CrossesBig Brush Creek
Location6.9 Mi. N. of Greensboro
RouteCounty Highway 21
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.78483, -87.65389
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating42.8 US tons
Inventory rating25.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadH 10
Structure length238 ft (72.5 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (1991)
Projected traffic400 by 2034
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Rt 21 over Big Brush Creek built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Rt 21 over Big Brush 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does County Rt 21 over Big Brush Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (1991 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is County Rt 21 over Big Brush Creek?

The structure is 238 ft (72.5 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County Rt 21 over Big Brush Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.