US Bridges

I-59 over Sweetwater Creek

Fair

Sumter County, Alabama · 4.4MI.N.OF Miss.St.Line · Structure no. 011101

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
306 ft
9 main spans
Daily traffic
9,020
2013 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-59 over Sweetwater Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying I-59 over Sweetwater Creek in Sumter County, Alabama. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 years old, younger 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 9,020 vehicles a day, roughly 44% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,370 by 2039. The structure is 306 ft (93.3 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-59
CrossesSweetwater Creek
Location4.4MI.N.OF Miss.St.Line
RouteInterstate 59
CountySumter County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.48778, -88.34657
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.6 US tons
Inventory rating29.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans9
Design loadHS 20
Structure length306 ft (93.3 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.4 m)
Roadway width39 ft (11.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,020 (2013)
Projected traffic10,370 by 2039
Trucks44%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$3.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was I-59 over Sweetwater Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-59 over Sweetwater 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 2023.

How much traffic does I-59 over Sweetwater Creek carry?

About 9,020 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 44% are trucks.

How long is I-59 over Sweetwater Creek?

The structure is 306 ft (93.3 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns I-59 over Sweetwater Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.