US Bridges

CO Rt 51 over Kirby Creek

Fair

Jackson County, Alabama · 0.3 MI N JCT CR 122 · Structure no. 000666

Built
1929
96 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
60 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
180
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CO Rt 51 over Kirby Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying CO Rt 51 over Kirby Creek in Jackson County, Alabama. It was built in 1929, so it is 96 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 5 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 180 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 227 by 2040. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCO Rt 51
CrossesKirby Creek
Location0.3 MI N JCT CR 122
RouteCounty Highway 51
CountyJackson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.59787, -85.90893
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic180 (1989)
Projected traffic227 by 2040
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$441,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CO Rt 51 over Kirby Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025.

What condition is CO Rt 51 over Kirby 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 2024.

How much traffic does CO Rt 51 over Kirby Creek carry?

About 180 vehicles per day (1989 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is CO Rt 51 over Kirby Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns CO Rt 51 over Kirby Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.