US Bridges

Sawmill Road over Purgatory Creek

Fair

Marion County, Alabama · .5 MI N US 278 · Structure no. 009299

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
44 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2001 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sawmill Road over Purgatory Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Sawmill Road over Purgatory Creek in Marion County, Alabama. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 392 by 2035. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesSawmill Road
CrossesPurgatory Creek
Location.5 MI N US 278
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMarion County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.96225, -87.92028
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 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
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59.5 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2001)
Projected traffic392 by 2035
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$563,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sawmill Road over Purgatory Creek built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sawmill Road over Purgatory 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Sawmill Road over Purgatory Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2001 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Sawmill Road over Purgatory Creek?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m).

Who owns Sawmill Road over Purgatory Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.