US Bridges

Flat Top Road over Alabama Power Rail Line

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · .3 MI E Snowville-Brent R · Structure no. 017549

Built
1999
26 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
100 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
6,500
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Flat Top Road over Alabama Power Rail Line is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Flat Top Road over Alabama Power Rail Line in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1999, so it is 26 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 6,500 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,500 by 2043. The structure is 100 ft (30.6 m) long and 47 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.3 mi (31 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFlat Top Road
CrossesAlabama Power Rail Line
Location.3 MI E Snowville-Brent R
RouteCounty Highway 45
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.66245, -87.03575
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating80.8 US tons
Inventory rating57.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length100 ft (30.6 m)
Longest span94 ft (28.8 m)
Deck width47 ft (14.3 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,500 (2023)
Projected traffic7,500 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed19.3 mi (31 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$1.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Flat Top Road over Alabama Power Rail Line built?

It was built in 1999, making it 26 years old in 2025.

What condition is Flat Top Road over Alabama Power Rail Line 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Flat Top Road over Alabama Power Rail Line carry?

About 6,500 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Flat Top Road over Alabama Power Rail Line?

The structure is 100 ft (30.6 m) long with a longest span of 94 ft (28.8 m) and a deck 47 ft wide.

Who owns Flat Top Road over Alabama Power Rail Line?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.