US Bridges

County Lake RD over Elder Branch

Fair

Madison County, Alabama · 2.3 MI JCT CO RD FAP116 · Structure no. 001679

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
33 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
600
1992 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Lake RD over Elder Branch is a concrete slab carrying County Lake RD over Elder Branch in Madison County, Alabama. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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 600 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 780 by 2040. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Lake RD
CrossesElder Branch
Location2.3 MI JCT CO RD FAP116
RouteCounty Highway 469
CountyMadison County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.83668, -86.42126
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.2 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic600 (1992)
Projected traffic780 by 2040
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$266,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Lake RD over Elder Branch built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Lake RD over Elder Branch 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does County Lake RD over Elder Branch carry?

About 600 vehicles per day (1992 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is County Lake RD over Elder Branch?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns County Lake RD over Elder Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.