US Bridges

Alton Road over Seaboard Airline RR

FairPosted for load

Jefferson County, Alabama · Alton RD * Sal RR · Structure no. 003890

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
186 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,000
2016 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Alton Road over Seaboard Airline RR is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Alton Road over Seaboard Airline RR 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 3,000 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,000 by 2036. The structure is 186 ft (56.6 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAlton Road
CrossesSeaboard Airline RR
LocationAlton RD * Sal RR
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.5776, -86.6414
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.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating29.1 US tons
Inventory rating17.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+4 approach)
Design loadUnknown
Structure length186 ft (56.6 m)
Longest span58 ft (17.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,000 (2016)
Projected traffic5,000 by 2036
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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$1.6 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Alton Road over Seaboard Airline RR built?

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

What condition is Alton Road over Seaboard Airline RR 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Alton Road over Seaboard Airline RR carry?

About 3,000 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Alton Road over Seaboard Airline RR?

The structure is 186 ft (56.6 m) long with a longest span of 58 ft (17.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Alton Road over Seaboard Airline RR?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.