US Bridges

5th Ave. over Painter Creek

Fair

Morgan County, Alabama · 5th Ave 0.1 MI W US 31 · Structure no. 000209

Built
1923
102 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
53 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
450
2025 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

5th Ave. over Painter Creek is a concrete slab carrying 5th Ave. over Painter Creek in Morgan County, Alabama. It was built in 1923, so it is 102 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 450 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 700 by 2045. The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries5th Ave.
CrossesPainter Creek
Location5th Ave 0.1 MI W US 31
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMorgan County
StateAlabama
Coordinates34.385, -86.925
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length53 ft (16.2 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2025)
Projected traffic700 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$330,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 5th Ave. over Painter Creek built?

It was built in 1923, making it 102 years old in 2025.

What condition is 5th Ave. over Painter 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does 5th Ave. over Painter Creek carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (2025 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is 5th Ave. over Painter Creek?

The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns 5th Ave. over Painter Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.