US Bridges

Thornton Road over Muddy Bayou

FairPosted for load

Tallahatchie County, Mississippi · Sec 3 T25N R 2W · Structure no. SA6800000000083

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
79 ft
100 main spans
Daily traffic
40
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Thornton Road over Muddy Bayou is a concrete channel beam carrying Thornton Road over Muddy Bayou in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 60 by 2035. The structure is 79 ft (24 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesThornton Road
CrossesMuddy Bayou
LocationSec 3 T25N R 2W
RouteCounty Highway 42
CountyTallahatchie County
StateMississippi
Coordinates34.06539, -90.39492
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
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating33.8 US tons
Inventory rating20.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans100 (+3 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length79 ft (24 m)
Longest span20 ft (6 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2015)
Projected traffic60 by 2035
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure20
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$208,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Thornton Road over Muddy Bayou built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is Thornton Road over Muddy 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Thornton Road over Muddy Bayou carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Thornton Road over Muddy Bayou?

The structure is 79 ft (24 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Thornton Road over Muddy Bayou?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.