US Bridges

SR 49 over Tallapoosa River

Fair

Tallapoosa County, Alabama · Horseshoe Bend · Structure no. 005248

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
865 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
1,178
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 49 over Tallapoosa River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR 49 over Tallapoosa River in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 1,178 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,649 by 2043. The structure is 865 ft (263.7 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 42.3 mi (68 km).

Location

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CarriesSR 49
CrossesTallapoosa River
LocationHorseshoe Bend
RouteState Highway 49
CountyTallapoosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.97584, -85.74111
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.8 US tons
Inventory rating27.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8 (+4 approach)
Design loadHS 15
Structure length865 ft (263.7 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,178 (2023)
Projected traffic1,649 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed42.3 mi (68 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$5.2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 49 over Tallapoosa River built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR 49 over Tallapoosa River 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does SR 49 over Tallapoosa River carry?

About 1,178 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is SR 49 over Tallapoosa River?

The structure is 865 ft (263.7 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns SR 49 over Tallapoosa River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.