US Bridges

County Rt 12 over Trib. to Cottonwood Crk

Fair

Hale County, Alabama · 2.6 Mi. E. of Prarieville · Structure no. 008271

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
76 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
200
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Rt 12 over Trib. to Cottonwood Crk is a concrete channel beam carrying County Rt 12 over Trib. to Cottonwood Crk in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2031. The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Rt 12
CrossesTrib. to Cottonwood Crk
Location2.6 Mi. E. of Prarieville
RouteCounty Highway 12
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.51, -87.645
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.8 US tons
Inventory rating35.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length76 ft (23.2 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (1991)
Projected traffic400 by 2031
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$667,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Rt 12 over Trib. to Cottonwood Crk built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Rt 12 over Trib. to Cottonwood Crk 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does County Rt 12 over Trib. to Cottonwood Crk carry?

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

How long is County Rt 12 over Trib. to Cottonwood Crk?

The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Rt 12 over Trib. to Cottonwood Crk?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.