US Bridges

Cahaba Road over Shades Creek

FairPosted for load

Jefferson County, Alabama · 500 Ft S Lakeshore DR · Structure no. 008636

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
83 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,526
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cahaba Road over Shades Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Cahaba Road over Shades Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 3,526 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,615 by 2043. The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCahaba Road
CrossesShades Creek
Location500 Ft S Lakeshore DR
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.47485, -86.76364
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
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 rating20 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length83 ft (25.3 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,526 (2023)
Projected traffic4,615 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$619,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cahaba Road over Shades Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cahaba Road 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Cahaba Road over Shades Creek carry?

About 3,526 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Cahaba Road over Shades Creek?

The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Cahaba Road over Shades Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.