US Bridges

Railroad Street over Driver Creek

PoorPosted for load

Lamar County, Alabama · 0.5 MI E SR#17 · Structure no. 000005

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel Continuous
Length
51 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
15
2007 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Railroad Street over Driver Creek is a steel continuous truss - thru carrying Railroad Street over Driver Creek in Lamar County, Alabama. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 years old, older than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 59 by 2032. The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRailroad Street
CrossesDriver Creek
Location0.5 MI E SR#17
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLamar County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.56589, -88.07383
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating5 US tons
Inventory rating3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 10
Structure length51 ft (15.5 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2007)
Projected traffic59 by 2032
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$253,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Railroad Street over Driver Creek built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is Railroad Street over Driver Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2024.

How much traffic does Railroad Street over Driver Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2007 count).

How long is Railroad Street over Driver Creek?

The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Railroad Street over Driver Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.