US Bridges

Link Road over Black Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · 1.5 MI N of Taylor Ferry · Structure no. 005695

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Frame
Concrete
Length
21 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,570
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Link Road over Black Creek is a concrete frame carrying Link Road over Black Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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.

It carries about 1,570 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,500 by 2044. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLink Road
CrossesBlack Creek
Location1.5 MI N of Taylor Ferry
RouteCounty Highway 859
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.5267, -87.1174
Functional classRural 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,570 (2024)
Projected traffic2,500 by 2044
Trucks5%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$305,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Link Road over Black Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Link Road over Black 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Link Road over Black Creek carry?

About 1,570 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Link Road over Black Creek?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Link Road over Black Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.