US Bridges

FAP 3 over Town Creek

Fair

Tipton County, Tennessee · In Covington · Structure no. 84SR0030015

Built
1922
103 years old, rebuilt 1938
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
80 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
13,935
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FAP 3 over Town Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying FAP 3 over Town Creek in Tipton County, Tennessee. It was built in 1922 and reconstructed in 1938, so it is 103 years old, older than the Tennessee average of 47.4 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 13,935 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 22,296 by 2042. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 81 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 85.1 mi (137 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFAP 3
CrossesTown Creek
LocationIn Covington
RouteU.S. Route 51
CountyTipton County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.57747, -89.64308
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47.2 US tons
Inventory rating25.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width81 ft (24.7 m)
Roadway width60 ft (18.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,935 (2021)
Projected traffic22,296 by 2042
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed85.1 mi (137 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$2.5 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FAP 3 over Town Creek built?

It was built in 1922, making it 103 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1938.

What condition is FAP 3 over Town 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does FAP 3 over Town Creek carry?

About 13,935 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is FAP 3 over Town Creek?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 81 ft wide.

Who owns FAP 3 over Town Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.