US Bridges

18th Ave Bessemer over Valley Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · 2 MI SW Brighton · Structure no. 003934

Built
1941
84 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
128 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
3,350
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

18th Ave Bessemer over Valley Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying 18th Ave Bessemer over Valley Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1941, so it is 84 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 3,350 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,500 by 2043. The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries18th Ave Bessemer
CrossesValley Creek
Location2 MI SW Brighton
RouteCounty Highway 441
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.41982, -86.96548
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating84.4 US tons
Inventory rating50.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length128 ft (39 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,350 (2023)
Projected traffic4,500 by 2043
Trucks1%
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$1.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 18th Ave Bessemer over Valley Creek built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025.

What condition is 18th Ave Bessemer 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does 18th Ave Bessemer over Valley Creek carry?

About 3,350 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is 18th Ave Bessemer over Valley Creek?

The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns 18th Ave Bessemer over Valley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.