US Bridges

Co. Hwy. 55 over Railroad

FairClosed to traffic

Shelby County, Alabama · .1 MI W JCT ST Rt 25 · Structure no. 010357

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
136 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
621
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Hwy. 55 over Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Co. Hwy. 55 over Railroad in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 5 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 621 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 840 by 2042. The structure is 136 ft (41.6 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesCo. Hwy. 55
CrossesRailroad
Location.1 MI W JCT ST Rt 25
RouteCounty Highway 55
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.44751, -86.48006
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length136 ft (41.6 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.1 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic621 (2023)
Projected traffic840 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Hwy. 55 over Railroad built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co. Hwy. 55 over Railroad 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Co. Hwy. 55 over Railroad carry?

About 621 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Co. Hwy. 55 over Railroad?

The structure is 136 ft (41.6 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.1 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Hwy. 55 over Railroad?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.