US Bridges

US 49 over Black Creek Relief

Fair

Forrest County, Mississippi · 7.4 MI N SR 13 · Structure no. 210004901804950

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
280 ft
14 main spans
Daily traffic
7,000
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 49 over Black Creek Relief is a concrete slab carrying US 49 over Black Creek Relief in Forrest County, Mississippi. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 years old, older than the Mississippi average of 38.9 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 7,000 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,000 by 2043. The structure is 280 ft (85.3 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesUS 49
CrossesBlack Creek Relief
Location7.4 MI N SR 13
RouteU.S. Route 49
Coordinates31.05387, -89.20497
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating70.9 US tons
Inventory rating42.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans14
Design loadHS 20
Structure length280 ft (85.3 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width33 ft (10 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,000 (2023)
Projected traffic8,000 by 2043
Trucks13%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRelief for waterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$452 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 49 over Black Creek Relief built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 49 over Black Creek Relief 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does US 49 over Black Creek Relief carry?

About 7,000 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is US 49 over Black Creek Relief?

The structure is 280 ft (85.3 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US 49 over Black Creek Relief?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.