US Bridges

Shields Road over Norfolk Railroad

Fair

Madison County, Alabama · .5 Mile North U.S. 72 · Structure no. 017585

Built
1999
26 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
111 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
17,080
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Shields Road over Norfolk Railroad is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Shields Road over Norfolk Railroad in Madison County, Alabama. It was built in 1999, so it is 26 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 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 17,080 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 23,912 by 2043. The structure is 111 ft (33.7 m) long and 63 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesShields Road
CrossesNorfolk Railroad
Location.5 Mile North U.S. 72
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMadison County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.7772, -86.5253
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating91.6 US tons
Inventory rating56.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length111 ft (33.7 m)
Longest span111 ft (33.7 m)
Deck width63 ft (19.1 m)
Roadway width60 ft (18.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic17,080 (2023)
Projected traffic23,912 by 2043
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Shields Road over Norfolk Railroad built?

It was built in 1999, making it 26 years old in 2025.

What condition is Shields Road over Norfolk Railroad 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Shields Road over Norfolk Railroad carry?

About 17,080 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Shields Road over Norfolk Railroad?

The structure is 111 ft (33.7 m) long with a longest span of 111 ft (33.7 m) and a deck 63 ft wide.

Who owns Shields Road over Norfolk Railroad?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.