US Bridges

South Sandy Road over Tadpole Creek

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 0.3 MI SE JCT US # 82 · Structure no. 012287

Built
1992
33 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
1997 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

South Sandy Road over Tadpole Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying South Sandy Road over Tadpole Creek in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1992, so it is 33 years old, younger 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 225 by 2035. The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSouth Sandy Road
CrossesTadpole Creek
Location0.3 MI SE JCT US # 82
RouteCounty Highway 314
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.06061, -87.44876
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating81.7 US tons
Inventory rating49.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (1997)
Projected traffic225 by 2035
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$386,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was South Sandy Road over Tadpole Creek built?

It was built in 1992, making it 33 years old in 2025.

What condition is South Sandy Road over Tadpole 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does South Sandy Road over Tadpole Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (1997 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is South Sandy Road over Tadpole Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns South Sandy Road over Tadpole Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.