US Bridges

County Road 9 over Little Prairie Creek

Fair

Hale County, Alabama · 3.5 Mi. N. of Prarie Eden · Structure no. 014344

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
102 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
100
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 9 over Little Prairie Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying County Road 9 over Little Prairie Creek in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 1988, so it is 75 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 100 vehicles a day, projected to reach 300 by 2031. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 9
CrossesLittle Prairie Creek
Location3.5 Mi. N. of Prarie Eden
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.6, -87.63333
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating69.3 US tons
Inventory rating41.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (1991)
Projected traffic300 by 2031
Trucks0%
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$777,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 9 over Little Prairie Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is County Road 9 over Little Prairie 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 9 over Little Prairie Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (1991 count).

How long is County Road 9 over Little Prairie Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 9 over Little Prairie Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.