US Bridges

SR 50 over Blue Creek

Fair

Tallapoosa County, Alabama · 6 MI E JCT SR 49 · Structure no. 010048

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
306 ft
9 main spans
Daily traffic
531
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 50 over Blue Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying SR 50 over Blue Creek in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 531 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 743 by 2041. The structure is 306 ft (93.3 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR 50
CrossesBlue Creek
Location6 MI E JCT SR 49
RouteState Highway 50
CountyTallapoosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.72285, -85.70153
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating29.4 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 width48 ft (14.6 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic531 (2021)
Projected traffic743 by 2041
Trucks11%
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

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$3.6 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 50 over Blue Creek built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR 50 over Blue 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does SR 50 over Blue Creek carry?

About 531 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is SR 50 over Blue Creek?

The structure is 306 ft (93.3 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns SR 50 over Blue Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.