US Bridges

Firetower Rd. over Pawticfaw Creek

Fair

Kemper County, Mississippi · Sec 35 T10N R17E B · Structure no. SA3500000000073

Built
1999
26 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
440 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
110
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Firetower Rd. over Pawticfaw Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Firetower Rd. over Pawticfaw Creek in Kemper County, Mississippi. It was built in 1999, so it is 26 years old, younger 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 110 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 255 by 2043. The structure is 440 ft (134.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFiretower Rd.
CrossesPawticfaw Creek
LocationSec 35 T10N R17E B
RouteCounty Highway 548
CountyKemper County
StateMississippi
Coordinates32.67383, -88.53699
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating71.7 US tons
Inventory rating33.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadHS 20
Structure length440 ft (134.1 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic110 (2023)
Projected traffic255 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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$3.3 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Firetower Rd. over Pawticfaw Creek built?

It was built in 1999, making it 26 years old in 2025.

What condition is Firetower Rd. over Pawticfaw 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Firetower Rd. over Pawticfaw Creek carry?

About 110 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Firetower Rd. over Pawticfaw Creek?

The structure is 440 ft (134.1 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Firetower Rd. over Pawticfaw Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.