US Bridges

County Road 385 over Dry Creek

Fair

Talladega County, Alabama · 0.4 MI N CO 385 Lake Elli · Structure no. 002497

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
42 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
720
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 385 over Dry Creek is a concrete culvert carrying County Road 385 over Dry Creek in Talladega County, Alabama. It was built in 1940, 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 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 720 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 845 by 2040. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 385
CrossesDry Creek
Location0.4 MI N CO 385 Lake Elli
RouteCounty Highway 385
CountyTalladega County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.44042, -86.02725
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43 US tons
Inventory rating25.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic720 (2020)
Projected traffic845 by 2040
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$348,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 385 over Dry Creek built?

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

What condition is County Road 385 over Dry 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 385 over Dry Creek carry?

About 720 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is County Road 385 over Dry Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 385 over Dry Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.