US Bridges

Piney Chapel Road over Muddy Creek

Fair

Limestone County, Alabama · SEC22 T2S R4W · Structure no. 015912

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
102 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
390
2013 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Piney Chapel Road over Muddy Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Piney Chapel Road over Muddy Creek in Limestone County, Alabama. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 years old, younger 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 390 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 600 by 2033. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesPiney Chapel Road
CrossesMuddy Creek
LocationSEC22 T2S R4W
RouteCounty Highway 81
CountyLimestone County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.85748, -86.94276
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating67 US tons
Inventory rating40.1 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 width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic390 (2013)
Projected traffic600 by 2033
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$867,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Piney Chapel Road over Muddy Creek built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is Piney Chapel Road over Muddy 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Piney Chapel Road over Muddy Creek carry?

About 390 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Piney Chapel Road over Muddy Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Piney Chapel Road over Muddy Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.