US Bridges

County Rt #174 over Southrail Railroad

PoorClosed to traffic

Pickens County, Alabama · 2.9 MI W of Ethelsville · Structure no. 002469

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 1999
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
98 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
25
1998 count
Owner
Railroad
Railroad

About this bridge

County Rt #174 over Southrail Railroad is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Rt #174 over Southrail Railroad in Pickens County, Alabama. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 years old, older than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, projected to reach 50 by 2016. The structure is 98 ft (29.9 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Rt #174
CrossesSouthrail Railroad
Location2.9 MI W of Ethelsville
RouteCounty Highway 174
CountyPickens County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.455, -88.25
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 1999
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans5
Design loadUnknown
Structure length98 ft (29.9 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (1998)
Projected traffic50 by 2016
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerRailroad
Maintained byRailroad
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$469,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was County Rt #174 over Southrail Railroad built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Rt #174 over Southrail Railroad in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in January 1999.

How much traffic does County Rt #174 over Southrail Railroad carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (1998 count).

How long is County Rt #174 over Southrail Railroad?

The structure is 98 ft (29.9 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Rt #174 over Southrail Railroad?

It is owned by the Railroad.