US Bridges

CR 26 over Buck Creek

Fair

Shelby County, Alabama · .25 MI West of Al 119 · Structure no. 018337

Built
2003
22 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
71 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
9,533
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 26 over Buck Creek is a concrete culvert carrying CR 26 over Buck Creek in Shelby County, Alabama. It was built in 2003, so it is 22 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 9,533 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 13,347 by 2043. The structure is 71 ft (21.7 m) long and 60 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 26
CrossesBuck Creek
Location.25 MI West of Al 119
RouteCounty Highway 26
CountyShelby County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.21522, -86.83071
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
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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating59.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length71 ft (21.7 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width60 ft (18.4 m)
Roadway width57 ft (17.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,533 (2023)
Projected traffic13,347 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$942,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 26 over Buck Creek built?

It was built in 2003, making it 22 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 26 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does CR 26 over Buck Creek carry?

About 9,533 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is CR 26 over Buck Creek?

The structure is 71 ft (21.7 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 60 ft wide.

Who owns CR 26 over Buck Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.