US Bridges

SR 21 over Flat Creek

Fair

Monroe County, Alabama · 6.3 Mi. N. of Beatrice · Structure no. 003058

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
170 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2013 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 21 over Flat Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying SR 21 over Flat Creek in Monroe County, Alabama. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 500 vehicles a day, roughly 32% of them trucks, projected to reach 624 by 2033. The structure is 170 ft (51.8 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR 21
CrossesFlat Creek
Location6.3 Mi. N. of Beatrice
RouteState Highway 21
CountyMonroe County
StateAlabama
Coordinates31.7402, -87.1158
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45.7 US tons
Inventory rating27.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length170 ft (51.8 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2013)
Projected traffic624 by 2033
Trucks32%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 21 over Flat Creek built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR 21 over Flat 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does SR 21 over Flat Creek carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 32% are trucks.

How long is SR 21 over Flat Creek?

The structure is 170 ft (51.8 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns SR 21 over Flat Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.