US Bridges

Water Oak Rd. over 5 Mile Creek

Fair

Hale County, Alabama · 0.8 Mi.S. of Wateroak · Structure no. 005032

Built
1955
70 years old, rebuilt 1992
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
50 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
50
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Water Oak Rd. over 5 Mile Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Water Oak Rd. over 5 Mile Creek in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1955 and reconstructed in 1992, so it is 70 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 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 100 by 2032. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

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CarriesWater Oak Rd.
Crosses5 Mile Creek
Location0.8 Mi.S. of Wateroak
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.86333, -87.44167
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating64.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.3 m)
Roadway width49 ft (14.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1989)
Projected traffic100 by 2032
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 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$699,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Water Oak Rd. over 5 Mile Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1992.

What condition is Water Oak Rd. over 5 Mile 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Water Oak Rd. over 5 Mile Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1989 count).

How long is Water Oak Rd. over 5 Mile Creek?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns Water Oak Rd. over 5 Mile Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.