US Bridges

County Road 55 over Big Creek

FairPosted for load

Houston County, Alabama · Al 53 to US 231 South · Structure no. 006321

Built
1958
67 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
612 ft
18 main spans
Daily traffic
860
1990 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 55 over Big Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying County Road 55 over Big Creek in Houston County, Alabama. It was built in 1958, so it is 67 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 860 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,050 by 2033. The structure is 612 ft (186.5 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 55
CrossesBig Creek
LocationAl 53 to US 231 South
RouteCounty Highway 55
CountyHouston County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.02067, -85.35036
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating44.9 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans18
Design loadH 10
Structure length612 ft (186.5 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 traffic860 (1990)
Projected traffic2,050 by 2033
Trucks12%
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$3.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 55 over Big Creek built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 55 over Big 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 55 over Big Creek carry?

About 860 vehicles per day (1990 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is County Road 55 over Big Creek?

The structure is 612 ft (186.5 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 55 over Big Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.