US Bridges

Tower Road over Morris Branch

Fair

Forrest County, Mississippi · Sec 7 T 2N R12W · Structure no. SA1800000000036

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
95 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
210
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tower Road over Morris Branch is a concrete channel beam carrying Tower Road over Morris Branch in Forrest County, Mississippi. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 210 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 316 by 2044. The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTower Road
CrossesMorris Branch
LocationSec 7 T 2N R12W
RouteCounty Highway 179
CountyForrest County
StateMississippi
Coordinates31.1535, -89.2421
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 inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.5 US tons
Inventory rating36.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length95 ft (29 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic210 (2024)
Projected traffic316 by 2044
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$650,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tower Road over Morris Branch built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Tower Road over Morris Branch 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Tower Road over Morris Branch carry?

About 210 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Tower Road over Morris Branch?

The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Tower Road over Morris Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.