US Bridges

5th Ave No over Blue Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · 5th Ave / Dunbar Ct. · Structure no. 003873

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
39 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,150
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

5th Ave No over Blue Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying 5th Ave No over Blue 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 3,150 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,000 by 2043. The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries5th Ave No
CrossesBlue Creek
Location5th Ave / Dunbar Ct.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.40864, -86.95162
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 10
Structure length39 ft (11.9 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,150 (2023)
Projected traffic4,000 by 2043
Trucks3%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$463,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 5th Ave No over Blue Creek built?

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

What condition is 5th Ave No over Blue 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does 5th Ave No over Blue Creek carry?

About 3,150 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is 5th Ave No over Blue Creek?

The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns 5th Ave No over Blue Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.