US Bridges

Al - 3 (us 31) over Buxahatchee Ck

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · .3 Mi.So.Jct Al 25 · Structure no. 002513

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

About this bridge

Al - 3 (us 31) over Buxahatchee Ck is a concrete tee beam carrying Al - 3 (us 31) over Buxahatchee Ck 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 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesAl - 3 (us 31)
CrossesBuxahatchee Ck
Location.3 Mi.So.Jct Al 25
RouteU.S. Route 31
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.09573, -86.75262
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 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 rating62.2 US tons
Inventory rating37.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 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$659,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Al - 3 (us 31) over Buxahatchee Ck 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 Buxahatchee Ck 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 July 2024.

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

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

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

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns Al - 3 (us 31) over Buxahatchee Ck?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.