US Bridges

Orchard Avenue over Ut to Shades Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Alabama · 350 So. Believue Terrace · Structure no. 019800

Built
2005
20 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
83 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,200
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Orchard Avenue over Ut to Shades Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Orchard Avenue over Ut to Shades Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 2005, so it is 20 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 1,680 by 2044. The structure is 83 ft (25.4 m) long and 46 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesOrchard Avenue
CrossesUt to Shades Creek
Location350 So. Believue Terrace
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.37457, -86.86003
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating90.9 US tons
Inventory rating67.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length83 ft (25.4 m)
Longest span83 ft (25.4 m)
Deck width46 ft (14 m)
Roadway width36 ft (10.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,200 (2024)
Projected traffic1,680 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Orchard Avenue over Ut to Shades Creek built?

It was built in 2005, making it 20 years old in 2025.

What condition is Orchard Avenue over Ut to Shades 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Orchard Avenue over Ut to Shades Creek carry?

About 1,200 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Orchard Avenue over Ut to Shades Creek?

The structure is 83 ft (25.4 m) long with a longest span of 83 ft (25.4 m) and a deck 46 ft wide.

Who owns Orchard Avenue over Ut to Shades Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.