US Bridges

Lee Road 037 over Watula Creek

Good

Lee County, Alabama · 0.8 MI N E JCT S 051 · Structure no. 020236

Built
2011
14 years old
Condition
Good
inspected June 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
102 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
125
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lee Road 037 over Watula Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Lee Road 037 over Watula Creek in Lee County, Alabama. It was built in 2011, so it is 14 years old, younger than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 125 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 188 by 2043. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLee Road 037
CrossesWatula Creek
Location0.8 MI N E JCT S 051
RouteCounty Highway 1037
CountyLee County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.44965, -85.35816
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating56.5 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck99 ft (30.2 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic125 (2023)
Projected traffic188 by 2043
Trucks5%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$897,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lee Road 037 over Watula Creek built?

It was built in 2011, making it 14 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lee Road 037 over Watula Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Lee Road 037 over Watula Creek carry?

About 125 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Lee Road 037 over Watula Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Lee Road 037 over Watula Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.