US Bridges

Ballaston Road over Fighting Bayou

Fair

Sunflower County, Mississippi · Sec 24 T22N R 3W · Structure no. SA6700000000123

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
69 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
40
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ballaston Road over Fighting Bayou is a concrete channel beam carrying Ballaston Road over Fighting Bayou in Sunflower 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: open, temporary structure in place while original is closed.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 60 by 2044. The structure is 69 ft (21 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBallaston Road
CrossesFighting Bayou
LocationSec 24 T22N R 3W
RouteCounty Highway 778
CountySunflower County
StateMississippi
Coordinates33.75964, -90.45226
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.
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 inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, temporary structure in place while original is closed
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length69 ft (21 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2024)
Projected traffic60 by 2044
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRelief for waterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$450,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ballaston Road over Fighting Bayou built?

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

What condition is Ballaston Road over Fighting Bayou 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Ballaston Road over Fighting Bayou carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Ballaston Road over Fighting Bayou?

The structure is 69 ft (21 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Ballaston Road over Fighting Bayou?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.