US Bridges

John Findlay Drive over Spillway

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · Oak Mtn. State Park · Structure no. 003619

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 2019
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,100
2025 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

John Findlay Drive over Spillway is a concrete channel beam carrying John Findlay Drive over Spillway in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 2019, so it is 75 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 2,100 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,500 by 2045. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesJohn Findlay Drive
CrossesSpillway
LocationOak Mtn. State Park
RouteState Lands Road 0
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.3323, -86.7551
Functional classRural Local

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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,100 (2025)
Projected traffic3,500 by 2045
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$542,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was John Findlay Drive over Spillway built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2019.

What condition is John Findlay Drive over Spillway 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does John Findlay Drive over Spillway carry?

About 2,100 vehicles per day (2025 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is John Findlay Drive over Spillway?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns John Findlay Drive over Spillway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.