US Bridges

County Road 55 over Whitaker Branch

Fair

Houston County, Alabama · Cottonwood to Henry CO · Structure no. 003795

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
36 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
640
1993 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 55 over Whitaker Branch is a concrete culvert carrying County Road 55 over Whitaker Branch in Houston County, Alabama. It was built in 1950, 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 640 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 800 by 2033. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 55
CrossesWhitaker Branch
LocationCottonwood to Henry CO
RouteCounty Highway 55
CountyHouston County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.11519, -85.24897
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating75.9 US tons
Inventory rating45.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic640 (1993)
Projected traffic800 by 2033
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$495,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 55 over Whitaker Branch built?

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

What condition is County Road 55 over Whitaker Branch 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 55 over Whitaker Branch carry?

About 640 vehicles per day (1993 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is County Road 55 over Whitaker Branch?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m).

Who owns County Road 55 over Whitaker Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.