US Bridges

County Road 79 over Upper Bear Creek

Fair

Marion County, Alabama · 1 Mile NE of Bear Creek · Structure no. 011717

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
466 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
625
2001 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 79 over Upper Bear Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 79 over Upper Bear Creek in Marion County, Alabama. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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 625 vehicles a day, roughly 50% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,225 by 2035. The structure is 466 ft (142 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 79
CrossesUpper Bear Creek
Location1 Mile NE of Bear Creek
RouteCounty Highway 79
CountyMarion County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.28113, -87.68577
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.9 US tons
Inventory rating31.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20
Structure length466 ft (142 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic625 (2001)
Projected traffic1,225 by 2035
Trucks50%
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

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$2.8 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 79 over Upper Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 79 over Upper 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 79 over Upper Bear Creek carry?

About 625 vehicles per day (2001 count), of which roughly 50% are trucks.

How long is County Road 79 over Upper Bear Creek?

The structure is 466 ft (142 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 79 over Upper Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.