US Bridges

Betty Hill Road over Shoal Creek

FairPosted for load

Jefferson County, Alabama · 3 Miles SW of Scrap · Structure no. 000172

Built
1921
104 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
46 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
325
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Betty Hill Road over Shoal Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Betty Hill Road over Shoal Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1921, so it is 104 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 325 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2043. The structure is 46 ft (14.1 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.3 mi (31 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBetty Hill Road
CrossesShoal Creek
Location3 Miles SW of Scrap
RouteCounty Highway 15
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.43456, -87.24529
Functional classRural Local

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.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating15 US tons
Inventory rating11 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length46 ft (14.1 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.3 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic325 (2023)
Projected traffic450 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed19.3 mi (31 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$345,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Betty Hill Road over Shoal Creek built?

It was built in 1921, making it 104 years old in 2025.

What condition is Betty Hill Road over Shoal 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Betty Hill Road over Shoal Creek carry?

About 325 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Betty Hill Road over Shoal Creek?

The structure is 46 ft (14.1 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.3 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Betty Hill Road over Shoal Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.