US Bridges

Old HWY 43 over Beaver Dam Creek

Fair

Mobile County, Alabama · 1.3 MI N Military Road · Structure no. 002690

Built
1942
83 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
42 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
345
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old HWY 43 over Beaver Dam Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Old HWY 43 over Beaver Dam Creek in Mobile County, Alabama. It was built in 1942, so it is 83 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 345 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 514 by 2043. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld HWY 43
CrossesBeaver Dam Creek
Location1.3 MI N Military Road
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMobile County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.1033, -88.01
Functional classUrban 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.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating51.9 US tons
Inventory rating31.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic345 (2023)
Projected traffic514 by 2043
Trucks1%
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

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$322,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old HWY 43 over Beaver Dam Creek built?

It was built in 1942, making it 83 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old HWY 43 over Beaver Dam 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Old HWY 43 over Beaver Dam Creek carry?

About 345 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Old HWY 43 over Beaver Dam Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Old HWY 43 over Beaver Dam Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.