US Bridges

Co. Hwy. 280 over Clear Prong Creek

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · Harpersville End-Old 280 · Structure no. 002488

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
80 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
725
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Hwy. 280 over Clear Prong Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Co. Hwy. 280 over Clear Prong Creek in Shelby 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 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 725 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,014 by 2043. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 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
CrossesClear Prong Creek
LocationHarpersville End-Old 280
RouteCounty Highway 280
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.364, -86.49777
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating58.3 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.7 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic725 (2023)
Projected traffic1,014 by 2043
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$648,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

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

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

What condition is Co. Hwy. 280 over Clear 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 November 2023.

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

About 725 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

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

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.7 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

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

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.