US Bridges

Echola Road over Box Creek

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 1.6 MI N of JCT US No 82 · Structure no. 005594

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
50 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
300
1996 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Echola Road over Box Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Echola Road over Box Creek in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2036. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesEchola Road
CrossesBox Creek
Location1.6 MI N of JCT US No 82
RouteCounty Highway 72
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.30387, -87.81036
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 inspectionJuly 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
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating80.2 US tons
Inventory rating48.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (1996)
Projected traffic400 by 2036
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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$420,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Echola Road over Box Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Echola Road over Box 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 2024.

How much traffic does Echola Road over Box Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (1996 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Echola Road over Box Creek?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Echola Road over Box Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.