US Bridges

Pocahontas Road over Shades Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · 2 Miles S of Lovelace · Structure no. 008796

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
264 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
3,157
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pocahontas Road over Shades Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Pocahontas 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 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 3,157 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,590 by 2043. The structure is 264 ft (80.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPocahontas Road
CrossesShades Creek
Location2 Miles S of Lovelace
RouteCounty Highway 53
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.29503, -86.9828
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.6 US tons
Inventory rating32.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadH 20
Structure length264 ft (80.5 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,157 (2023)
Projected traffic3,590 by 2043
Trucks18%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Pocahontas Road over Shades Creek built?

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

What condition is Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas Road over Shades Creek carry?

About 3,157 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is Pocahontas Road over Shades Creek?

The structure is 264 ft (80.5 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Pocahontas Road over Shades Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.