US Bridges

County Rd. 16 over Big German Creek Rel.

FairPosted for load

Hale County, Alabama · 0.5 Mi. W. of Cedarville · Structure no. 007669

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
95 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
250
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Rd. 16 over Big German Creek Rel. is a concrete channel beam carrying County Rd. 16 over Big German Creek Rel. in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 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 250 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2031. The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Rd. 16
CrossesBig German Creek Rel.
Location0.5 Mi. W. of Cedarville
RouteCounty Highway 16
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.6125, -87.6843
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating36.3 US tons
Inventory rating21.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length95 ft (29 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (1989)
Projected traffic400 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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$661,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Rd. 16 over Big German Creek Rel. built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Rd. 16 over Big German Creek Rel. 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 Rd. 16 over Big German Creek Rel. carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (1989 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is County Rd. 16 over Big German Creek Rel.?

The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County Rd. 16 over Big German Creek Rel.?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.