US Bridges

Co. Hwy. 42 over Waxahatchee Creek

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · 2.5 Mi. West Shelby · Structure no. 010580

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
217 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
769
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Hwy. 42 over Waxahatchee Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Co. Hwy. 42 over Waxahatchee Creek in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 769 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,337 by 2043. The structure is 217 ft (66 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCo. Hwy. 42
CrossesWaxahatchee Creek
Location2.5 Mi. West Shelby
RouteCounty Highway 42
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.10916, -86.63089
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating76.2 US tons
Inventory rating45.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length217 ft (66 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic769 (2023)
Projected traffic1,337 by 2043
Trucks25%
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

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$1.8 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Hwy. 42 over Waxahatchee Creek built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co. Hwy. 42 over Waxahatchee 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. 42 over Waxahatchee Creek carry?

About 769 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is Co. Hwy. 42 over Waxahatchee Creek?

The structure is 217 ft (66 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Hwy. 42 over Waxahatchee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.