US Bridges

AL-241 over Bear Creek

Fair

Marion County, Alabama · 11 MI N JCT US 278 · Structure no. 006416

Built
1958
67 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
226 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,105
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

AL-241 over Bear Creek is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying AL-241 over Bear Creek in Marion County, Alabama. It was built in 1958, so it is 67 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 1,105 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,460 by 2040. The structure is 226 ft (68.9 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAL-241
CrossesBear Creek
Location11 MI N JCT US 278
RouteState Highway 241
CountyMarion County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.27694, -87.71917
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating41 US tons
Inventory rating24.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+1 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length226 ft (68.9 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,105 (2020)
Projected traffic1,460 by 2040
Trucks6%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$1.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was AL-241 over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025.

What condition is AL-241 over Bear Creek 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does AL-241 over Bear Creek carry?

About 1,105 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is AL-241 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 226 ft (68.9 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns AL-241 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.