US Bridges

Co. Hwy. 280 over Railroad

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · 400 East JCT CO RD 43 · Structure no. 000934

Built
1931
94 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
117 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,370
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Hwy. 280 over Railroad is a concrete tee beam carrying Co. Hwy. 280 over Railroad in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1931, so it is 94 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 2,370 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,318 by 2044. The structure is 117 ft (35.8 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCo. Hwy. 280
CrossesRailroad
Location400 East JCT CO RD 43
RouteCounty Highway 280
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.35142, -86.65292
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating54.5 US tons
Inventory rating32.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length117 ft (35.8 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,370 (2024)
Projected traffic3,318 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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$882,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Hwy. 280 over Railroad built?

It was built in 1931, making it 94 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co. Hwy. 280 over 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Co. Hwy. 280 over Railroad carry?

About 2,370 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Co. Hwy. 280 over Railroad?

The structure is 117 ft (35.8 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Hwy. 280 over Railroad?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.