US Bridges

13th Street over Valley Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · 13th St. over Valley Ck · Structure no. 018453

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
224 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,000
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

13th Street over Valley Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying 13th Street over Valley Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 3,000 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,000 by 2043. The structure is 224 ft (68.3 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries13th Street
CrossesValley Creek
Location13th St. over Valley Ck
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.41953, -86.98299
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating37.8 US tons
Inventory rating22.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length224 ft (68.3 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,000 (2023)
Projected traffic6,000 by 2043
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$1.7 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 13th Street over Valley Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is 13th Street over Valley 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does 13th Street over Valley Creek carry?

About 3,000 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is 13th Street over Valley Creek?

The structure is 224 ft (68.3 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns 13th Street over Valley Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.