US Bridges

Gorgas Road over North River

FairPosted for load

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 8.5 MI N JCT US No 43 · Structure no. 004972

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
332 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
300
1998 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gorgas Road over North River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Gorgas Road over North River in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 300 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2036. The structure is 332 ft (101.2 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesGorgas Road
CrossesNorth River
Location8.5 MI N JCT US No 43
RouteCounty Highway 217
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.56189, -87.63021
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating38.3 US tons
Inventory rating22.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+5 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length332 ft (101.2 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (1998)
Projected traffic400 by 2036
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$2 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gorgas Road over North River built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gorgas Road over North 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Gorgas Road over North River carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (1998 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Gorgas Road over North River?

The structure is 332 ft (101.2 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Gorgas Road over North River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.