US Bridges

County Road 42 over Fivemile Creek

FairPosted for load

Hale County, Alabama · 1.0 Mi. N. of Akron · Structure no. 014096

Built
1956
69 years old, rebuilt 1987
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
578 ft
17 main spans
Daily traffic
200
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 42 over Fivemile Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying County Road 42 over Fivemile Creek in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1956 and reconstructed in 1987, so it is 69 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 300 by 2034. The structure is 578 ft (176.2 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 42
CrossesFivemile Creek
Location1.0 Mi. N. of Akron
RouteCounty Highway 42
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.89017, -87.73066
Functional classRural Minor 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
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 adequacy7: Better than 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 spans17
Design loadH 15
Structure length578 ft (176.2 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (1989)
Projected traffic300 by 2034
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$3.2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 42 over Fivemile Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1987.

What condition is County Road 42 over Fivemile 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 42 over Fivemile Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (1989 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is County Road 42 over Fivemile Creek?

The structure is 578 ft (176.2 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 42 over Fivemile Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.