US Bridges

Willow Lake Road over Sowashee Creek

Fair

Lauderdale County, Mississippi · Sec 23 T 7N R16E B · Structure no. SA3800000000197

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
57 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
240
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Willow Lake Road over Sowashee Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Willow Lake Road over Sowashee Creek in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 240 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 360 by 2044. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWillow Lake Road
CrossesSowashee Creek
LocationSec 23 T 7N R16E B
RouteCounty Highway 206
CountyLauderdale County
StateMississippi
Coordinates32.43573, -88.63806
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating64.8 US tons
Inventory rating38.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic240 (2023)
Projected traffic360 by 2044
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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$600,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Willow Lake Road over Sowashee Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Willow Lake Road over Sowashee 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 2024.

How much traffic does Willow Lake Road over Sowashee Creek carry?

About 240 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Willow Lake Road over Sowashee Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Willow Lake Road over Sowashee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.