US Bridges

Co. Hwy. 45 over Bear Creek

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · 0.5 Mi. So. CR 43 · Structure no. 014906

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
66 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
406
2025 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Co. Hwy. 45 over Bear Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Co. Hwy. 45 over Bear Creek in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 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 406 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 823 by 2045. The structure is 66 ft (20 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCo. Hwy. 45
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.5 Mi. So. CR 43
RouteCounty Highway 45
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.46319, -86.51294
Functional classRural Minor 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
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating77.3 US tons
Inventory rating46.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length66 ft (20 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic406 (2025)
Projected traffic823 by 2045
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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$542,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Co. Hwy. 45 over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is Co. Hwy. 45 over Bear 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Co. Hwy. 45 over Bear Creek carry?

About 406 vehicles per day (2025 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Co. Hwy. 45 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 66 ft (20 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Co. Hwy. 45 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.