US Bridges

Goodwater Road over Blue Creek

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 1.6 MI E of JCT US No 69 · Structure no. 010116

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
119 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
1996 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Goodwater Road over Blue Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Goodwater Road over Blue Creek in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 100 vehicles a day, projected to reach 200 by 2036. The structure is 119 ft (36.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGoodwater Road
CrossesBlue Creek
Location1.6 MI E of JCT US No 69
RouteCounty Highway 287
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.48384, -87.47171
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.
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 inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating55.7 US tons
Inventory rating33.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length119 ft (36.3 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (1996)
Projected traffic200 by 2036
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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$994,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Goodwater Road over Blue Creek built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is Goodwater Road over Blue 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Goodwater Road over Blue Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (1996 count).

How long is Goodwater Road over Blue Creek?

The structure is 119 ft (36.3 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Goodwater Road over Blue Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.