US Bridges

Branch Street over Sweetwater Creek

Fair

Lauderdale County, Alabama · 0.2 M E Int Sweetwater Av · Structure no. 003090

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,250
2014 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Branch Street over Sweetwater Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Branch Street over Sweetwater Creek in Lauderdale County, Alabama. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 1,250 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,552 by 2034. The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBranch Street
CrossesSweetwater Creek
Location0.2 M E Int Sweetwater Av
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLauderdale County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.81661, -87.65019
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.4 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,250 (2014)
Projected traffic1,552 by 2034
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$237,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Branch Street over Sweetwater Creek built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is Branch Street over Sweetwater 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 Branch Street over Sweetwater Creek carry?

About 1,250 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Branch Street over Sweetwater Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Branch Street over Sweetwater Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.