US Bridges

Lake Road over Margaret Lake Creek

Fair

St. Clair County, Alabama · Co. RD.12 · Structure no. 014074

Built
1940
85 years old, rebuilt 1987
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
22 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2025 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lake Road over Margaret Lake Creek is a steel culvert carrying Lake Road over Margaret Lake Creek in St. Clair County, Alabama. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 1987, so it is 85 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 5 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 300 by 2045. The structure is 22 ft (6.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesLake Road
CrossesMargaret Lake Creek
LocationCo. RD.12
RouteCity Street 0
CountySt. Clair County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.68606, -86.47332
Functional classUrban 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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating98 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length22 ft (6.8 m)
Longest span6 ft (1.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2025)
Projected traffic300 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$223,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lake Road over Margaret Lake Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1987.

What condition is Lake Road over Margaret Lake 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Lake Road over Margaret Lake Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2025 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Lake Road over Margaret Lake Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.8 m) long with a longest span of 6 ft (1.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Lake Road over Margaret Lake Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.