US Bridges

Beechwood Road over Shades Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · Beechwood - Overbrook RD · Structure no. 003589

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
49 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,460
2018 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Beechwood Road over Shades Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Beechwood Road over Shades Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 2,460 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,450 by 2038. The structure is 49 ft (15 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBeechwood Road
CrossesShades Creek
LocationBeechwood - Overbrook RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.4925, -86.74475
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 rating48 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length49 ft (15 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,460 (2018)
Projected traffic3,450 by 2038
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$493,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Beechwood Road over Shades Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Beechwood Road over Shades 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Beechwood Road over Shades Creek carry?

About 2,460 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Beechwood Road over Shades Creek?

The structure is 49 ft (15 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Beechwood Road over Shades Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.