US Bridges

County Road 12 over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Hale County, Alabama · 3.0 Mi. E. of Prarieville · Structure no. 008272

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
191 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
300
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 12 over Cottonwood Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying County Road 12 over Cottonwood Creek 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 5 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2031. The structure is 191 ft (58.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 12
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location3.0 Mi. E. of Prarieville
RouteCounty Highway 12
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.51, -87.64167
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 spans10
Design loadH 15
Structure length191 ft (58.2 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 traffic300 (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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$1.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 12 over Cottonwood Creek built?

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

What condition is County Road 12 over Cottonwood 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 12 over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (1991 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is County Road 12 over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 191 ft (58.2 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 12 over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.