US Bridges

County Road 87 over Lake Tuscaloosa

Fair

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 0.7 MI E Rice Mine RD · Structure no. 010353

Built
1970
55 years old, rebuilt 2000
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
83 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
6,984
2001 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 87 over Lake Tuscaloosa is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 87 over Lake Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 1970 and reconstructed in 2000, so it is 55 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.

It carries about 6,984 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,524 by 2034. The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.1 mi (42 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 87
CrossesLake Tuscaloosa
Location0.7 MI E Rice Mine RD
RouteCounty Highway 87
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.26627, -87.50518
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
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionNovember 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating88.8 US tons
Inventory rating53.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length83 ft (25.3 m)
Longest span83 ft (25.3 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.5 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,984 (2001)
Projected traffic11,524 by 2034
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed26.1 mi (42 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 87 over Lake Tuscaloosa built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2000.

What condition is County Road 87 over Lake Tuscaloosa 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 87 over Lake Tuscaloosa carry?

About 6,984 vehicles per day (2001 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is County Road 87 over Lake Tuscaloosa?

The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long with a longest span of 83 ft (25.3 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 87 over Lake Tuscaloosa?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.