US Bridges

Rocky Ridge Road over Little Shades Creek

Good

Jefferson County, Alabama · 1.5 MI So Morgan Drive · Structure no. 017699

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Good
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
164 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
13,400
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rocky Ridge Road over Little Shades Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Rocky Ridge Road over Little Shades Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 years old, younger than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 13,400 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,560 by 2043. The structure is 164 ft (50 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRocky Ridge Road
CrossesLittle Shades Creek
Location1.5 MI So Morgan Drive
RouteCounty Highway 528
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.41012, -86.78089
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.2 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length164 ft (50 m)
Longest span77 ft (23.5 m)
Deck width43 ft (13 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,400 (2023)
Projected traffic15,560 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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$1.9 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rocky Ridge Road over Little Shades Creek built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rocky Ridge Road over Little Shades Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does Rocky Ridge Road over Little Shades Creek carry?

About 13,400 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Rocky Ridge Road over Little Shades Creek?

The structure is 164 ft (50 m) long with a longest span of 77 ft (23.5 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns Rocky Ridge Road over Little Shades Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.