US Bridges

AL-6 over Little Bear Creek

Fair

Pickens County, Alabama · E City Limits of Gordo · Structure no. 004289

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
150 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
9,811
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

AL-6 over Little Bear Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying AL-6 over Little Bear Creek in Pickens County, Alabama. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 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 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 9,811 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,536 by 2041. The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.2 mi (47 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAL-6
CrossesLittle Bear Creek
LocationE City Limits of Gordo
RouteU.S. Route 82
CountyPickens County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.3149, -87.8984
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating42.8 US tons
Inventory rating25.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length150 ft (45.7 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,811 (2020)
Projected traffic11,536 by 2041
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.2 mi (47 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkNon-Interstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$1.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was AL-6 over Little Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is AL-6 over Little Bear 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does AL-6 over Little Bear Creek carry?

About 9,811 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is AL-6 over Little Bear Creek?

The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns AL-6 over Little Bear Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.