US Bridges

Co. Hwy. 280 over Muddy Prong Creek

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · 0.5 MI E of Co. 55 · Structure no. 000941

Built
1931
94 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
133 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
599
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Hwy. 280 over Muddy Prong Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Co. Hwy. 280 over Muddy Prong Creek 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 6 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 599 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 850 by 2044. The structure is 133 ft (40.6 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCo. Hwy. 280
CrossesMuddy Prong Creek
Location0.5 MI E of Co. 55
RouteCounty Highway 280
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.35628, -86.52661
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating54.5 US tons
Inventory rating32.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length133 ft (40.6 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.6 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic599 (2024)
Projected traffic850 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$985,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Hwy. 280 over Muddy Prong Creek built?

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

What condition is Co. Hwy. 280 over Muddy Prong 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Co. Hwy. 280 over Muddy Prong Creek carry?

About 599 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Co. Hwy. 280 over Muddy Prong Creek?

The structure is 133 ft (40.6 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.6 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Hwy. 280 over Muddy Prong Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.