US Bridges

Co.Hwy. 275 over Cahaba River

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · Shelby/Jeffco.Line · Structure no. 014022

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
462 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
16,877
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co.Hwy. 275 over Cahaba River is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Co.Hwy. 275 over Cahaba River in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 years old, younger 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 16,877 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 23,630 by 2043. The structure is 462 ft (140.7 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCo.Hwy. 275
CrossesCahaba River
LocationShelby/Jeffco.Line
RouteCounty Highway 275
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.36317, -86.81312
Functional classUrban 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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating62.7 US tons
Inventory rating37.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+5 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length462 ft (140.7 m)
Longest span101 ft (30.8 m)
Deck width39 ft (11.9 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16,877 (2023)
Projected traffic23,630 by 2043
Trucks10%
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$4.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Co.Hwy. 275 over Cahaba River built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co.Hwy. 275 over Cahaba River 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. 275 over Cahaba River carry?

About 16,877 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Co.Hwy. 275 over Cahaba River?

The structure is 462 ft (140.7 m) long with a longest span of 101 ft (30.8 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns Co.Hwy. 275 over Cahaba River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.