US Bridges

County Road 48 over West Branch Buttahatchee

Fair

Marion County, Alabama · 1 Mile East of ST RD 241 · Structure no. 004497

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
105 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
270
2001 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 48 over West Branch Buttahatchee is a concrete tee beam carrying County Road 48 over West Branch Buttahatchee in Marion County, Alabama. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 270 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 529 by 2035. The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 48
CrossesWest Branch Buttahatchee
Location1 Mile East of ST RD 241
RouteCounty Highway 48
CountyMarion County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.18468, -87.71564
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating47.8 US tons
Inventory rating28.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length105 ft (32 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic270 (2001)
Projected traffic529 by 2035
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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$767,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 48 over West Branch Buttahatchee built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 48 over West Branch Buttahatchee 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 County Road 48 over West Branch Buttahatchee carry?

About 270 vehicles per day (2001 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is County Road 48 over West Branch Buttahatchee?

The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 48 over West Branch Buttahatchee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.