US Bridges

Al - 23 over Dry Branch

Fair

St. Clair County, Alabama · .4 Mi. So. Ashville Cl · Structure no. 000228

Built
1924
101 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
106 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
910
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Al - 23 over Dry Branch is a concrete tee beam carrying Al - 23 over Dry Branch in St. Clair County, Alabama. It was built in 1924, so it is 101 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 910 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,104 by 2043. The structure is 106 ft (32.3 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAl - 23
CrossesDry Branch
Location.4 Mi. So. Ashville Cl
RouteU.S. Route 23
CountySt. Clair County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.805, -86.30389
Functional classRural Major 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
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 inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating63.5 US tons
Inventory rating38.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length106 ft (32.3 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic910 (2023)
Projected traffic1,104 by 2043
Trucks3%
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

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$587,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Al - 23 over Dry Branch built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025.

What condition is Al - 23 over Dry Branch 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Al - 23 over Dry Branch carry?

About 910 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Al - 23 over Dry Branch?

The structure is 106 ft (32.3 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Al - 23 over Dry Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.