Al 97 over I-65

Fair

Lowndes County, Alabama · Int. I-65 * AL.97 · Structure no. 008847

Built: 1965; 60 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected August 2024
Type: Tee Beam; Concrete Continuous
Length: 273 ft; 4 main spans
Daily traffic: 1,740; 2013 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Al 97 over I-65 is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Al 97 over I-65 in Lowndes County, Alabama. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 5 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 1,740 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,330 by 2033. The structure is 273 ft (83.2 m) long and 31 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesAl 97

CrossesI-65

LocationInt. I-65 * AL.97

RouteState Highway 97

CountyLowndes County

StateAlabama

Coordinates32.10952, -86.46108

Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.

Last inspectionAugust 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourBridge not over waterway

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria

Operating rating41.2 US tons

Inventory rating24.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans4

Design loadHS 20

Structure length273 ft (83.2 m)

Longest span75 ft (22.9 m)

Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)

Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,740 (2013)

Projected traffic2,330 by 2033

Trucks2%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesOverpass structure at an interchange

CrossesHighway

Detour if closed—

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 proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost$2.1 million (2025 estimate)

NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Al 97 over I-65 built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Al 97 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Al 97 over I-65 carry?

About 1,740 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Al 97 over I-65?

The structure is 273 ft (83.2 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (22.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Al 97 over I-65?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.