US Bridges

AL-129 over Buttahatchee River

Fair

Marion County, Alabama · 0.6 MI S JCT US 278 · Structure no. 003340

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
182 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,343
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

AL-129 over Buttahatchee River is a concrete tee beam carrying AL-129 over Buttahatchee River in Marion County, Alabama. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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 1,343 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,757 by 2040. The structure is 182 ft (55.5 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.1 mi (42 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAL-129
CrossesButtahatchee River
Location0.6 MI S JCT US 278
RouteState Highway 129
CountyMarion County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.1125, -87.73147
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.
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 inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating42.9 US tons
Inventory rating25.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length182 ft (55.5 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,343 (2020)
Projected traffic1,757 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed26.1 mi (42 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$1.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was AL-129 over Buttahatchee River built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is AL-129 over Buttahatchee River 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does AL-129 over Buttahatchee River carry?

About 1,343 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is AL-129 over Buttahatchee River?

The structure is 182 ft (55.5 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns AL-129 over Buttahatchee River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.