US Bridges

Patton Road over Huntsville Spring Branch

Fair

Madison County, Alabama · Redstone Arsenal · Structure no. DAPAMCRED000006

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
130 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5,000
2016 count
Owner
Federal
Army

About this bridge

Patton Road over Huntsville Spring Branch is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Patton Road over Huntsville Spring Branch in Madison County, Alabama. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 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 5,000 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,500 by 2046. The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesPatton Road
CrossesHuntsville Spring Branch
LocationRedstone Arsenal
CountyMadison County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.62572, -86.62954
Functional classRural 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 inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.3 US tons
Inventory rating37.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length130 ft (39.6 m)
Longest span126 ft (38.4 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.6 m)
Roadway width39 ft (11.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,000 (2016)
Projected traffic5,500 by 2046
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerArmy
Maintained byArmy
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$2,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Patton Road over Huntsville Spring Branch built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is Patton Road 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Patton Road over Huntsville Spring Branch carry?

About 5,000 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Patton Road over Huntsville Spring Branch?

The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long with a longest span of 126 ft (38.4 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Patton Road over Huntsville Spring Branch?

It is owned by the Army.