US Bridges

Forrest Ave over Bayou Sara

Fair

Mobile County, Alabama · 0.6 MI N Celeste Road · Structure no. 003776

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
136 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,905
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Forrest Ave over Bayou Sara is a concrete tee beam carrying Forrest Ave over Bayou Sara in Mobile County, Alabama. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 1,905 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,730 by 2044. The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForrest Ave
CrossesBayou Sara
Location0.6 MI N Celeste Road
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMobile County
StateAlabama
Coordinates30.83333, -88.10167
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating31.9 US tons
Inventory rating19.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length136 ft (41.5 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,905 (2024)
Projected traffic2,730 by 2044
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$965,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forrest Ave over Bayou Sara built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forrest Ave over Bayou Sara 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Forrest Ave over Bayou Sara carry?

About 1,905 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Forrest Ave over Bayou Sara?

The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Forrest Ave over Bayou Sara?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.