US Bridges

County Road 16 over Big German Creek Relief

FairPosted for load

Hale County, Alabama · 0.6 Mi.W. of Cedarville · Structure no. 007946

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
130 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
275
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 16 over Big German Creek Relief is a concrete tee beam carrying County Road 16 over Big German Creek Relief in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 275 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2031. The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 16
CrossesBig German Creek Relief
Location0.6 Mi.W. of Cedarville
RouteCounty Highway 16
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.61245, -87.67557
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
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 adequacy6: Equal to 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 spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length130 ft (39.6 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 traffic275 (1989)
Projected traffic400 by 2031
Trucks1%
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$851,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 16 over Big German Creek Relief built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 16 over Big German Creek Relief 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 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 16 over Big German Creek Relief carry?

About 275 vehicles per day (1989 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is County Road 16 over Big German Creek Relief?

The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 16 over Big German Creek Relief?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.