US Bridges

Pettus Road over Ball Slough

Fair

Montgomery County, Alabama · 7.3 MI N of Hickory Grove · Structure no. 012369

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
96 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
230
1989 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pettus Road over Ball Slough is a concrete channel beam carrying Pettus Road over Ball Slough in Montgomery County, Alabama. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 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 230 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 500 by 2044. The structure is 96 ft (29.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPettus Road
CrossesBall Slough
Location7.3 MI N of Hickory Grove
RouteCounty Highway 18
CountyMontgomery County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.15461, -86.36425
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating77.3 US tons
Inventory rating46.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length96 ft (29.3 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic230 (1989)
Projected traffic500 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRelief for waterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$839,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Pettus Road over Ball Slough built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pettus Road over Ball Slough 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Pettus Road over Ball Slough carry?

About 230 vehicles per day (1989 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Pettus Road over Ball Slough?

The structure is 96 ft (29.3 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Pettus Road over Ball Slough?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.