US Bridges

County Lake RD over Ealon Branch

Fair

Lamar County, Alabama · 3.3 Mi. N. Ala. Hwy. 18 · Structure no. 004527

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
25 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
340
2016 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Lake RD over Ealon Branch is a concrete culvert carrying County Lake RD over Ealon Branch in Lamar County, Alabama. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 340 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 505 by 2036. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Lake RD
CrossesEalon Branch
Location3.3 Mi. N. Ala. Hwy. 18
RouteCounty Highway 21
CountyLamar County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.74831, -88.23034
Functional classRural Minor 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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating97.7 US tons
Inventory rating58.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic340 (2016)
Projected traffic505 by 2036
Trucks4%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$260,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Lake RD over Ealon Branch built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Lake RD over Ealon Branch 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does County Lake RD over Ealon Branch carry?

About 340 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is County Lake RD over Ealon Branch?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m).

Who owns County Lake RD over Ealon Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.