US Bridges

Ralph Loop Road over Buck Creek

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 0.7 MI NE of JCT US No 11 · Structure no. 006939

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
122 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
400
2002 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ralph Loop Road over Buck Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Ralph Loop Road over Buck Creek in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 400 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 200 by 2035. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesRalph Loop Road
CrossesBuck Creek
Location0.7 MI NE of JCT US No 11
RouteCounty Highway 7
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.0413, -87.77029
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating46.6 US tons
Inventory rating27.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic400 (2002)
Projected traffic200 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$876,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ralph Loop Road over Buck Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ralph Loop Road over Buck 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 Ralph Loop Road over Buck Creek carry?

About 400 vehicles per day (2002 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Ralph Loop Road over Buck Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Ralph Loop Road over Buck Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.