US Bridges

County Road 10 over Big Prarie Creek

FairPosted for load

Hale County, Alabama · 0.4 Mi. W. of Sunshine · Structure no. 005163

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
306 ft
9 main spans
Daily traffic
100
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 10 over Big Prarie Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying County Road 10 over Big Prarie Creek in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1955, 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 100 vehicles a day, projected to reach 300 by 2034. The structure is 306 ft (93.3 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

CarriesCounty Road 10
CrossesBig Prarie Creek
Location0.4 Mi. W. of Sunshine
RouteCounty Highway 10
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.56389, -87.56053
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating42 US tons
Inventory rating25.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans9
Design loadH 15
Structure length306 ft (93.3 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 traffic100 (1991)
Projected traffic300 by 2034
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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$1.8 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 10 over Big Prarie Creek built?

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

What condition is County Road 10 over Big Prarie 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 10 over Big Prarie Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (1991 count).

How long is County Road 10 over Big Prarie Creek?

The structure is 306 ft (93.3 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 10 over Big Prarie Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.