US Bridges

Elder Street over Shades Creek

FairPosted for load

Jefferson County, Alabama · Elder ST * Shades Creek · Structure no. 004100

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
64 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
3,000
2016 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Elder Street over Shades Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Elder Street over Shades Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 3,000 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,500 by 2036. The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesElder Street
CrossesShades Creek
LocationElder ST * Shades Creek
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.5209, -86.71687
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.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating15 US tons
Inventory rating10 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length64 ft (19.5 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.5 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,000 (2016)
Projected traffic3,500 by 2036
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$649,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Elder Street over Shades Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is Elder Street 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Elder Street over Shades Creek carry?

About 3,000 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Elder Street over Shades Creek?

The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.5 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Elder Street over Shades Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.