US Bridges

CO 159 over Little Bluewater Creek

Fair

Lauderdale County, Alabama · 1 MI E * N of SR 64 · Structure no. 001649

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
190
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CO 159 over Little Bluewater Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying CO 159 over Little Bluewater Creek in Lauderdale County, Alabama. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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 190 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 380 by 2028. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCO 159
CrossesLittle Bluewater Creek
Location1 MI E * N of SR 64
RouteCounty Highway 159
CountyLauderdale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.97279, -87.42809
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.
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 2023
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
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating36.5 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic190 (1989)
Projected traffic380 by 2028
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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$201,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CO 159 over Little Bluewater Creek built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is CO 159 over Little Bluewater 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 2023.

How much traffic does CO 159 over Little Bluewater Creek carry?

About 190 vehicles per day (1989 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is CO 159 over Little Bluewater Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns CO 159 over Little Bluewater Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.