US Bridges

Ripley Cutoff RD over Cheatham Creek

Fair

Walker County, Alabama · 1 1/2 Mile N HWY 78 · Structure no. 002201

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
96 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
110
1991 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ripley Cutoff RD over Cheatham Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Ripley Cutoff RD over Cheatham Creek in Walker County, Alabama. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 110 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 175 by 2030. The structure is 96 ft (29.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesRipley Cutoff RD
CrossesCheatham Creek
Location1 1/2 Mile N HWY 78
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWalker County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.89158, -87.44965
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating45.7 US tons
Inventory rating27.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length96 ft (29.3 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic110 (1991)
Projected traffic175 by 2030
Trucks1%
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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$781,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ripley Cutoff RD over Cheatham Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ripley Cutoff RD over Cheatham 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 2023.

How much traffic does Ripley Cutoff RD over Cheatham Creek carry?

About 110 vehicles per day (1991 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Ripley Cutoff RD over Cheatham Creek?

The structure is 96 ft (29.3 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Ripley Cutoff RD over Cheatham Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.