US Bridges

County Road 16 over Big Prarie Creek Trib.

Good

Hale County, Alabama · 0.4 Mi. W. of Whitsitt · Structure no. 014975

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Good
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
22 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
300
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 16 over Big Prarie Creek Trib. is a concrete culvert carrying County Road 16 over Big Prarie Creek Trib. in Hale County, Alabama. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 1990, so it is 125 years old, older than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 300 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2031. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 16
CrossesBig Prarie Creek Trib.
Location0.4 Mi. W. of Whitsitt
RouteCounty Highway 16
CountyHale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.60167, -87.59167
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating85.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 10
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.5 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$273,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 16 over Big Prarie Creek Trib. built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is County Road 16 over Big Prarie Creek Trib. in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 16 over Big Prarie Creek Trib. carry?

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

How long is County Road 16 over Big Prarie Creek Trib.?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 16 over Big Prarie Creek Trib.?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.