US Bridges

Watkins Road over Watkins Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · Watkins Road over Creek · Structure no. 002872

Built
1945
80 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,008
2014 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Watkins Road over Watkins Creek is a concrete slab carrying Watkins Road over Watkins Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1945, so it is 80 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 1,008 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,425 by 2034. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

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CarriesWatkins Road
CrossesWatkins Creek
LocationWatkins Road over Creek
RouteCity Street 300
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.47958, -86.76868
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,008 (2014)
Projected traffic1,425 by 2034
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$301,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Watkins Road over Watkins Creek built?

It was built in 1945, making it 80 years old in 2025.

What condition is Watkins Road over Watkins 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Watkins Road over Watkins Creek carry?

About 1,008 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Watkins Road over Watkins Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Watkins Road over Watkins Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.