US Bridges

Drake Ave over Brahan Springs Lagoon

Fair

Madison County, Alabama · Brahan Spring at Drake Av · Structure no. 005296

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
17,000
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Drake Ave over Brahan Springs Lagoon is a concrete tee beam carrying Drake Ave over Brahan Springs Lagoon in Madison County, Alabama. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 17,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 23,000 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 78 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesDrake Ave
CrossesBrahan Springs Lagoon
LocationBrahan Spring at Drake Av
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMadison County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.70369, -86.59819
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width78 ft (23.8 m)
Roadway width68 ft (20.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic17,000 (2023)
Projected traffic23,000 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$967,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Drake Ave over Brahan Springs Lagoon built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Drake Ave over Brahan Springs Lagoon 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 Drake Ave over Brahan Springs Lagoon carry?

About 17,000 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Drake Ave over Brahan Springs Lagoon?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 78 ft wide.

Who owns Drake Ave over Brahan Springs Lagoon?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.