US Bridges

Al - 3 (us 31) over Branch

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · 1 MI N Chilton CO LN · Structure no. 002512

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 1941
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
7,680
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Al - 3 (us 31) over Branch is a concrete tee beam carrying Al - 3 (us 31) over Branch in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 1941, so it is 105 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 7,680 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,866 by 2044. The structure is 30 ft (9 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAl - 3 (us 31)
CrossesBranch
Location1 MI N Chilton CO LN
RouteU.S. Route 31
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.08405, -86.74909
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50.3 US tons
Inventory rating30.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length30 ft (9 m)
Longest span30 ft (9 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.3 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,680 (2024)
Projected traffic9,866 by 2044
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$472,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Al - 3 (us 31) over Branch built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1941.

What condition is Al - 3 (us 31) over Branch 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Al - 3 (us 31) over Branch carry?

About 7,680 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is Al - 3 (us 31) over Branch?

The structure is 30 ft (9 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns Al - 3 (us 31) over Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.