US Bridges

Drake Ave over Huntsville Spring Branch

Fair

Madison County, Alabama · Drake Ave * Hunts Spg Br · Structure no. 009764

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
128 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
20,000
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Drake Ave over Huntsville Spring Branch is a concrete tee beam carrying Drake Ave over Huntsville Spring Branch in Madison County, Alabama. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 5 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 20,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 28,000 by 2044. The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long and 80 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDrake Ave
CrossesHuntsville Spring Branch
LocationDrake Ave * Hunts Spg Br
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMadison County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.70544, -86.59475
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to 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 rating58 US tons
Inventory rating34.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length128 ft (39 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width80 ft (24.4 m)
Roadway width68 ft (20.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20,000 (2024)
Projected traffic28,000 by 2044
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$2.9 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Drake Ave over Huntsville Spring Branch built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Drake Ave over Huntsville Spring 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Drake Ave over Huntsville Spring Branch carry?

About 20,000 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Drake Ave over Huntsville Spring Branch?

The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 80 ft wide.

Who owns Drake Ave over Huntsville Spring Branch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.