US Bridges

Lafitte Road over Bayou Sara

Fair

Mobile County, Alabama · 1.3 Mi. W. Co. 55 · Structure no. 007158

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
102 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,450
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lafitte Road over Bayou Sara is a concrete channel beam carrying Lafitte Road over Bayou Sara in Mobile County, Alabama. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 1,450 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,080 by 2044. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLafitte Road
CrossesBayou Sara
Location1.3 Mi. W. Co. 55
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMobile County
StateAlabama
Coordinates30.8364, -88.1218
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating67.4 US tons
Inventory rating40.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadH 10
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,450 (2024)
Projected traffic2,080 by 2044
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$806,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lafitte Road over Bayou Sara built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lafitte Road 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 Lafitte Road over Bayou Sara carry?

About 1,450 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Lafitte Road over Bayou Sara?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Lafitte Road over Bayou Sara?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.