US Bridges

SR 117 over I-59

Fair

DeKalb County, Alabama · JCT SR 117 * I-59 · Structure no. 007126

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
265 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
3,749
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 117 over I-59 is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying SR 117 over I-59 in DeKalb County, Alabama. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 years old, older than the Alabama average of 51.1 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.

It carries about 3,749 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,249 by 2041. The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR 117
CrossesI-59
LocationJCT SR 117 * I-59
RouteState Highway 117
CountyDeKalb County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.59394, -85.64066
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating50.9 US tons
Inventory rating30.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length265 ft (80.8 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.3 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,749 (2021)
Projected traffic5,249 by 2041
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesOverpass structure at an interchange
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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$2.3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 117 over I-59 built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR 117 over I-59 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does SR 117 over I-59 carry?

About 3,749 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is SR 117 over I-59?

The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.3 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns SR 117 over I-59?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.