US Bridges

Co. Hwy. 61 over Beeswax Creek

FairPosted for load

Shelby County, Alabama · 150 North CR 77 · Structure no. 002847

Built
1945
80 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
171 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,000
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Hwy. 61 over Beeswax Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Co. Hwy. 61 over Beeswax Creek in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1945, so it is 80 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,640 by 2043. The structure is 171 ft (52.2 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesCo. Hwy. 61
CrossesBeeswax Creek
Location150 North CR 77
RouteCounty Highway 61
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.18337, -86.5437
Functional classRural Major 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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating41.7 US tons
Inventory rating24.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length171 ft (52.2 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2023)
Projected traffic1,640 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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$1.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Hwy. 61 over Beeswax Creek built?

It was built in 1945, making it 80 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co. Hwy. 61 over Beeswax 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Co. Hwy. 61 over Beeswax Creek carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Co. Hwy. 61 over Beeswax Creek?

The structure is 171 ft (52.2 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Hwy. 61 over Beeswax Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.