US Bridges

Co. Rd. 97 over Bear Creek

Fair

Randolph County, Alabama · (joann Culvert) · Structure no. 008058

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
89 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
150
1997 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Rd. 97 over Bear Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Co. Rd. 97 over Bear Creek in Randolph County, Alabama. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 150 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 240 by 2030. The structure is 89 ft (27.1 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesCo. Rd. 97
CrossesBear Creek
Location(joann Culvert)
RouteCounty Highway 97
CountyRandolph County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.3768, -85.4439
Functional classRural 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.3 US tons
Inventory rating27.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20
Structure length89 ft (27.1 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.2 m)
Roadway width48 ft (14.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic150 (1997)
Projected traffic240 by 2030
Trucks25%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Rd. 97 over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co. Rd. 97 over 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Co. Rd. 97 over Bear Creek carry?

About 150 vehicles per day (1997 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is Co. Rd. 97 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 89 ft (27.1 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Rd. 97 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.