US Bridges

New River Road over Cates Creek

Good

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 5.4 MI NE of JCT Ala 171 · Structure no. 020852

Built
2013
12 years old
Condition
Good
inspected November 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
68 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
10
2013 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

New River Road over Cates Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying New River Road over Cates Creek in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 2013, so it is 12 years old, younger than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2035. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNew River Road
CrossesCates Creek
Location5.4 MI NE of JCT Ala 171
RouteCounty Highway 161
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.49802, -87.76146
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating56.5 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2013)
Projected traffic10 by 2035
Trucks0%
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$642,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was New River Road over Cates Creek built?

It was built in 2013, making it 12 years old in 2025.

What condition is New River Road over Cates Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in November 2023.

How much traffic does New River Road over Cates Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2013 count).

How long is New River Road over Cates Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns New River Road over Cates Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.