US Bridges

Pleasant Drive over Norfolk Sou Railroad

Good

Lee County, Alabama · Opelika · Structure no. 012547

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Good
inspected September 2024
Type
Frame
Steel Continuous
Length
130 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,600
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pleasant Drive over Norfolk Sou Railroad is a steel continuous frame carrying Pleasant Drive over Norfolk Sou Railroad in Lee County, Alabama. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 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 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 3,600 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,000 by 2024. The structure is 130 ft (39.5 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPleasant Drive
CrossesNorfolk Sou Railroad
LocationOpelika
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLee County
StateAlabama
Coordinates32.64309, -85.39768
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating67.4 US tons
Inventory rating39.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length130 ft (39.5 m)
Longest span61 ft (18.6 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,600 (2024)
Projected traffic5,000 by 2024
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Pleasant Drive over Norfolk Sou Railroad built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pleasant Drive over Norfolk Sou Railroad 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Pleasant Drive over Norfolk Sou Railroad carry?

About 3,600 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Pleasant Drive over Norfolk Sou Railroad?

The structure is 130 ft (39.5 m) long with a longest span of 61 ft (18.6 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Pleasant Drive over Norfolk Sou Railroad?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.