US Bridges

Countess RD over Valley View Branch

Fair

Madison County, Alabama · 1.5 MI SE JCT US HWY 431 · Structure no. 012666

Built
1940
85 years old, rebuilt 1982
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
24 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
750
1992 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Countess RD over Valley View Branch is a concrete slab carrying Countess RD over Valley View Branch in Madison County, Alabama. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 1982, so it is 85 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 750 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,050 by 2029. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCountess RD
CrossesValley View Branch
Location1.5 MI SE JCT US HWY 431
RouteCounty Highway 139
CountyMadison County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.82202, -86.55379
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
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic750 (1992)
Projected traffic1,050 by 2029
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$301,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Countess RD over Valley View Branch built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1982.

What condition is Countess RD over Valley View 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 Countess RD over Valley View Branch carry?

About 750 vehicles per day (1992 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Countess RD over Valley View Branch?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Countess RD over Valley View Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.