US Bridges

Cotton Belt RD over Sugar Creek

FairPosted for load

Limestone County, Alabama · SEC3 T2S R6W · Structure no. 005875

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
296 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
870
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cotton Belt RD over Sugar Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Cotton Belt RD over Sugar Creek in Limestone County, Alabama. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 870 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,290 by 2034. The structure is 296 ft (90.2 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCotton Belt RD
CrossesSugar Creek
LocationSEC3 T2S R6W
RouteCounty Highway 21
CountyLimestone County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.89663, -87.14098
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.7 US tons
Inventory rating26.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+5 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length296 ft (90.2 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic870 (2014)
Projected traffic1,290 by 2034
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.7 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cotton Belt RD over Sugar Creek built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cotton Belt RD over Sugar 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Cotton Belt RD over Sugar Creek carry?

About 870 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Cotton Belt RD over Sugar Creek?

The structure is 296 ft (90.2 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Cotton Belt RD over Sugar Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.