US Bridges

6th Ave SW over Buck Creek

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · 0.37 Mi. West 1st St. SW · Structure no. 010916

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,000
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

6th Ave SW over Buck Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying 6th Ave SW over Buck Creek in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,400 by 2044. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries6th Ave SW
CrossesBuck Creek
Location0.37 Mi. West 1st St. SW
RouteCity Street 0
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.23876, -86.82513
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.5 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2024)
Projected traffic1,400 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$402,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 6th Ave SW over Buck Creek built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is 6th Ave SW over Buck 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does 6th Ave SW over Buck Creek carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is 6th Ave SW over Buck Creek?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.5 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns 6th Ave SW over Buck Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.