US Bridges

Northside Road over Cripple Creek

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 3.5 MI E JCT Usno 43 · Structure no. 003139

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
50 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
300
1997 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Northside Road over Cripple Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Northside Road over Cripple Creek in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2034. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

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CarriesNorthside Road
CrossesCripple Creek
Location3.5 MI E JCT Usno 43
RouteCounty Highway 160
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.49281, -87.56264
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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
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
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating90.5 US tons
Inventory rating54.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (1997)
Projected traffic400 by 2034
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 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$840,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Northside Road over Cripple Creek built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is Northside Road over Cripple 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Northside Road over Cripple Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (1997 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Northside Road over Cripple Creek?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m).

Who owns Northside Road over Cripple Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.