US Bridges

Ave W over Valley Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · Ave W * Valley Creek · Structure no. 003702

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
85 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
8,000
2016 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ave W over Valley Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Ave W over Valley 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 6 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 8,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,000 by 2036. The structure is 85 ft (26 m) long and 1 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAve W
CrossesValley Creek
LocationAve W * Valley Creek
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.49267, -86.87215
Functional classUrban 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length85 ft (26 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width1 ft (0.2 m)
Roadway width1 ft (0.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,000 (2016)
Projected traffic12,000 by 2036
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
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$1.5 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ave W over Valley Creek built?

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

What condition is Ave W over Valley 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Ave W over Valley Creek carry?

About 8,000 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Ave W over Valley Creek?

The structure is 85 ft (26 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 1 ft wide.

Who owns Ave W over Valley Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.