US Bridges

County Road 42 over Meadows Creek

Fair

Houston County, Alabama · Ala Road 52 to Ala RD 95 · Structure no. 008340

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
31 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,260
1990 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 42 over Meadows Creek is a concrete culvert carrying County Road 42 over Meadows Creek in Houston County, Alabama. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 1,260 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,500 by 2033. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 42
CrossesMeadows Creek
LocationAla Road 52 to Ala RD 95
RouteCounty Highway 42
CountyHouston County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.22083, -85.17872
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 inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating36.9 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,260 (1990)
Projected traffic1,500 by 2033
Trucks5%
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$360,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 42 over Meadows Creek built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

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

About 1,260 vehicles per day (1990 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Road 42 over Meadows Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns County Road 42 over Meadows Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.