US Bridges

Flat Top Road over Skelton Creek

Good

Jefferson County, Alabama · 0.75 Mile S of Quintown · Structure no. 002042

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Good
inspected September 2024
Type
Frame
Concrete Continuous
Length
75 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,560
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Flat Top Road over Skelton Creek is a concrete continuous frame carrying Flat Top Road over Skelton Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 years old, older 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 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 2,560 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,025 by 2044. The structure is 75 ft (23 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFlat Top Road
CrossesSkelton Creek
Location0.75 Mile S of Quintown
RouteCounty Highway 81
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.62695, -87.09157
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length75 ft (23 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.3 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,560 (2024)
Projected traffic3,025 by 2044
Trucks25%
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$684,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Flat Top Road over Skelton Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Flat Top Road over Skelton 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Flat Top Road over Skelton Creek carry?

About 2,560 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is Flat Top Road over Skelton Creek?

The structure is 75 ft (23 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.3 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Flat Top Road over Skelton Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.