US Bridges

Nfa A197 over Dry Weakley Creek

Poor

Lawrence County, Tennessee · 3.5 MI SE Etheridge · Structure no. 500A1970001

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
21 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
140
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nfa A197 over Dry Weakley Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Nfa A197 over Dry Weakley Creek in Lawrence County, Tennessee. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 years old, older than the Tennessee average of 47.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 140 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 224 by 2041. The structure is 21 ft (6.3 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNfa A197
CrossesDry Weakley Creek
Location3.5 MI SE Etheridge
RouteCounty Highway 197
CountyLawrence County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.30207, -87.22608
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating78.3 US tons
Inventory rating46.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length21 ft (6.3 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic140 (2020)
Projected traffic224 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$184,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nfa A197 over Dry Weakley Creek built?

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

What condition is Nfa A197 over Dry Weakley Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Nfa A197 over Dry Weakley Creek carry?

About 140 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Nfa A197 over Dry Weakley Creek?

The structure is 21 ft (6.3 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Nfa A197 over Dry Weakley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.