US Bridges

CO Rt 184 over Elam Creek

Fair

Lawrence County, Alabama · 0.3 MI S JCT CO Rt 87 · Structure no. 004630

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
77 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
235
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CO Rt 184 over Elam Creek is a concrete culvert carrying CO Rt 184 over Elam Creek in Lawrence 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 235 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 500 by 2035. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

CarriesCO Rt 184
CrossesElam Creek
Location0.3 MI S JCT CO Rt 87
RouteCounty Highway 53
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.47167, -87.21333
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
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating34.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic235 (1989)
Projected traffic500 by 2035
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$589,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CO Rt 184 over Elam Creek built?

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

What condition is CO Rt 184 over Elam 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does CO Rt 184 over Elam Creek carry?

About 235 vehicles per day (1989 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is CO Rt 184 over Elam Creek?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns CO Rt 184 over Elam Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.