US Bridges

AL-172 over Branch

Fair

Marion County, Alabama · 1 MI W JCT AL-135 · Structure no. 017207

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
68 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,357
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

AL-172 over Branch is a concrete channel beam carrying AL-172 over Branch in Marion County, Alabama. It was built in 1998, so it is 27 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 1,357 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,891 by 2041. The structure is 68 ft (20.8 m) long and 45 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAL-172
CrossesBranch
Location1 MI W JCT AL-135
RouteState Highway 172
CountyMarion County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.27839, -87.71953
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating54.7 US tons
Inventory rating32.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length68 ft (20.8 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width45 ft (13.6 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,357 (2020)
Projected traffic1,891 by 2041
Trucks5%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$945,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was AL-172 over Branch built?

It was built in 1998, making it 27 years old in 2025.

What condition is AL-172 over Branch 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 AL-172 over Branch carry?

About 1,357 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is AL-172 over Branch?

The structure is 68 ft (20.8 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 45 ft wide.

Who owns AL-172 over Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.