US Bridges

Sylvan Loop Road over Grants Creek

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 0.2 MI SW of JCT US No 11 · Structure no. 004997

Built
1928
97 years old, rebuilt 1955
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
215 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2002 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sylvan Loop Road over Grants Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Sylvan Loop Road over Grants Creek in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1928 and reconstructed in 1955, so it is 97 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 600 by 2035. The structure is 215 ft (65.5 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSylvan Loop Road
CrossesGrants Creek
Location0.2 MI SW of JCT US No 11
RouteCounty Highway 7
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.0879, -87.69174
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionJuly 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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating28.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadH 15
Structure length215 ft (65.5 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.3 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2002)
Projected traffic600 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$1.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sylvan Loop Road over Grants Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1955.

What condition is Sylvan Loop Road over Grants 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Sylvan Loop Road over Grants Creek carry?

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

How long is Sylvan Loop Road over Grants Creek?

The structure is 215 ft (65.5 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.3 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Sylvan Loop Road over Grants Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.