US Bridges

Lock 17 Road over Valley Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · 2 MI E Oakgrove · Structure no. 004895

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
270 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
7,326
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lock 17 Road over Valley Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Lock 17 Road over Valley Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 7,326 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,250 by 2044. The structure is 270 ft (82.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLock 17 Road
CrossesValley Creek
Location2 MI E Oakgrove
RouteCounty Highway 54
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.44735, -87.12185
Functional classRural Major 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 15
Structure length270 ft (82.4 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,326 (2024)
Projected traffic10,250 by 2044
Trucks25%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 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$2.2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lock 17 Road over Valley Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lock 17 Road 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Lock 17 Road over Valley Creek carry?

About 7,326 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is Lock 17 Road over Valley Creek?

The structure is 270 ft (82.4 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Lock 17 Road over Valley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.