US Bridges

Thermal Road over Gurley Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · 200 NE JCT Smith Mill RD · Structure no. 012444

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
203 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
336
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Thermal Road over Gurley Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Thermal Road over Gurley Creek 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 336 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 500 by 2044. The structure is 203 ft (62 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesThermal Road
CrossesGurley Creek
Location200 NE JCT Smith Mill RD
RouteCounty Highway 646
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.80678, -86.71075
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating67.4 US tons
Inventory rating40.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length203 ft (62 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic336 (2024)
Projected traffic500 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$1.6 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Thermal Road over Gurley Creek built?

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

What condition is Thermal Road over Gurley 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 Thermal Road over Gurley Creek carry?

About 336 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Thermal Road over Gurley Creek?

The structure is 203 ft (62 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Thermal Road over Gurley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.