US Bridges

Old Canton Road over Bear Creek

Fair

Madison County, Mississippi · Sec 1 T 8N R 2E B · Structure no. SA4500000000021

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
278 ft
14 main spans
Daily traffic
1,100
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old Canton Road over Bear Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Old Canton Road over Bear Creek in Madison County, Mississippi. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 5 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 1,100 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,650 by 2035. The structure is 278 ft (84.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 7.5 mi (12 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld Canton Road
CrossesBear Creek
LocationSec 1 T 8N R 2E B
RouteCounty Highway 6988
CountyMadison County
StateMississippi
Coordinates32.56111, -90.04028
Functional classUrban 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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60.8 US tons
Inventory rating36.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans14
Design loadH 15
Structure length278 ft (84.7 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,100 (2015)
Projected traffic1,650 by 2035
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed7.5 mi (12 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$717,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old Canton Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old Canton Road over Bear 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Old Canton Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 1,100 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Old Canton Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 278 ft (84.7 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Old Canton Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.