Is the Copeland Creek Bridge in Alabama open?
The Copeland Creek Bridge (also known as Chamblee Mill Bridge) is a historic single-lane pony truss bridge spanning 24.4 meters (80.1 ft) across Copeland Creek in Blount County, in the US state of Alabama. Located on Chamblee Mill Road near Blountsville, it's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
| Road facts: Copeland Creek Bridge (Chamblee Mill Bridge) | |
|---|---|
| Location | Blount County (Blountsville), Alabama (USA) |
| Route Designation | Chamblee Mill Road |
| Length | 24.4 m (80.1 ft) |
| Structure Type | Single-span steel pony truss with timber plank deck |
| Build Date | 1946 |
| Access Status | Permanently closed to all vehicular traffic |
| Surface | Unpaved dirt and gravel access road, wooden deck |
Where is the Copeland Creek Bridge located?
The bridge is located along Chamblee Mill Road in rural Blount County, north of Birmingham and close to the community of Blountsville. It spans Copeland Creek in a wooded, unpaved sector of the road.
What type of bridge is the Chamblee Mill Bridge?
Erected in 1946, the 80.1-foot structure is a single-span steel pony truss bridge. The deck consists of wooden planks set between low structural steel side trusses over the creek bed.
Can you drive across the Copeland Creek Bridge?
No. The Blount County Emergency Management Agency officially closed the bridge permanently due to severe structural deterioration. Earthen mounds, gravel piles, and physical barriers block both road approaches, completely preventing automobiles from entering the wooden deck.
What is the condition of the Copeland Creek Bridge?
The bridge is abandoned and unmaintained. The dirt access tracks leading up to the span are rutted, while the steel pony trusses show corrosion and the wooden deck boards suffer from severe rotting, making the structure unsafe for vehicle loads.
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