US Bridges

Amber Hills Road over I - 459

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · I459 * Amber Hills Road · Structure no. 012099

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
328 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,200
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Amber Hills Road over I - 459 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Amber Hills Road over I - 459 in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 years old, younger 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 1,200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,600 by 2042. The structure is 328 ft (100 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAmber Hills Road
CrossesI - 459
LocationI459 * Amber Hills Road
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.56756, -86.63845
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating50.8 US tons
Inventory rating30.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length328 ft (100 m)
Longest span105 ft (32 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,200 (2022)
Projected traffic1,600 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$3 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Amber Hills Road over I - 459 built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Amber Hills Road over I - 459 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Amber Hills Road over I - 459 carry?

About 1,200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Amber Hills Road over I - 459?

The structure is 328 ft (100 m) long with a longest span of 105 ft (32 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Amber Hills Road over I - 459?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.