US Bridges

Wales RD over I 65

Fair

Limestone County, Alabama · 4.5 MI N JCT I 65 & SR 3 · Structure no. 008189

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
288 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,690
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wales RD over I 65 is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Wales RD over I 65 in Limestone County, Alabama. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 1,690 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,492 by 2034. The structure is 288 ft (87.8 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesWales RD
CrossesI 65
Location4.5 MI N JCT I 65 & SR 3
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLimestone County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.89089, -86.91554
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating63.4 US tons
Inventory rating37.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length288 ft (87.8 m)
Longest span79 ft (24.1 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,690 (2024)
Projected traffic2,492 by 2034
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$2.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Wales RD over I 65 built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wales RD over I 65 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Wales RD over I 65 carry?

About 1,690 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Wales RD over I 65?

The structure is 288 ft (87.8 m) long with a longest span of 79 ft (24.1 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Wales RD over I 65?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.