US Bridges

Sparkman ST over Shoal Creek

PoorPosted for load

Morgan County, Alabama · JCT Sparkman St*shoal Crk · Structure no. 000095

Built
1915
110 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
102 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,123
2001 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sparkman ST over Shoal Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Sparkman ST over Shoal Creek in Morgan County, Alabama. It was built in 1915, so it is 110 years old, older than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 2,123 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,900 by 2036. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesSparkman ST
CrossesShoal Creek
LocationJCT Sparkman St*shoal Crk
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMorgan County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.42736, -86.92914
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating30 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span102 ft (31.1 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,123 (2001)
Projected traffic4,900 by 2036
Trucks5%
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 statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$627,000 (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sparkman ST over Shoal Creek built?

It was built in 1915, making it 110 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sparkman ST over Shoal Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2024.

How much traffic does Sparkman ST over Shoal Creek carry?

About 2,123 vehicles per day (2001 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Sparkman ST over Shoal Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 102 ft (31.1 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Sparkman ST over Shoal Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.