US Bridges

Rainbow Drive over Shoal Creek

Good

Calhoun County, Alabama · Rainbow DR Truss · Structure no. 017803

Built
2009
16 years old
Condition
Good
inspected June 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel Continuous
Length
50 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
222
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rainbow Drive over Shoal Creek is a steel continuous truss - thru carrying Rainbow Drive over Shoal Creek in Calhoun County, Alabama. It was built in 2009, so it is 16 years old, younger than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 222 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 387 by 2041. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRainbow Drive
CrossesShoal Creek
LocationRainbow DR Truss
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCalhoun County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.73735, -85.66006
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.3 US tons
Inventory rating36.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic222 (2015)
Projected traffic387 by 2041
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$449,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rainbow Drive over Shoal Creek built?

It was built in 2009, making it 16 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rainbow Drive over Shoal Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Rainbow Drive over Shoal Creek carry?

About 222 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Rainbow Drive over Shoal Creek?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Rainbow Drive over Shoal Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.