US Bridges

Ralph Loop Road over Reed Swamp Creek

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 1.3 MI NE of JCT US No 11 · Structure no. 000963

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
80 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2002 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ralph Loop Road over Reed Swamp Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Ralph Loop Road over Reed Swamp Creek in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1932, so it is 93 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 500 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 700 by 2035. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRalph Loop Road
CrossesReed Swamp Creek
Location1.3 MI NE of JCT US No 11
RouteCounty Highway 7
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.04329, -87.76102
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating29.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2002)
Projected traffic700 by 2035
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$573,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ralph Loop Road over Reed Swamp Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ralph Loop Road over Reed Swamp 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 Ralph Loop Road over Reed Swamp Creek carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2002 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Ralph Loop Road over Reed Swamp Creek?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Ralph Loop Road over Reed Swamp Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.