US Bridges

Al 171 over Turkey Creek

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 2.4 MI S Fayette CO Line · Structure no. 005652

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
136 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
2,480
2013 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Al 171 over Turkey Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Al 171 over Turkey 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 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 2,480 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,230 by 2039. The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

CarriesAl 171
CrossesTurkey Creek
Location2.4 MI S Fayette CO Line
RouteState Highway 171
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.48827, -87.79661
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51.8 US tons
Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length136 ft (41.5 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,480 (2013)
Projected traffic3,230 by 2039
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Al 171 over Turkey Creek built?

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

What condition is Al 171 over Turkey 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Al 171 over Turkey Creek carry?

About 2,480 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Al 171 over Turkey Creek?

The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Al 171 over Turkey Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.