US Bridges

Ridge Road over Lye Branch

Good

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama · 8.5 MI NE of JCT CO Rt 59 · Structure no. 020481

Built
2011
14 years old
Condition
Good
inspected February 2025
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
62
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ridge Road over Lye Branch is a concrete channel beam carrying Ridge Road over Lye Branch in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was built in 2011, so it is 14 years old, younger than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 9 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 62 vehicles a day, projected to reach 70 by 2039. The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRidge Road
CrossesLye Branch
Location8.5 MI NE of JCT CO Rt 59
RouteCounty Highway 474
CountyTuscaloosa County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.32476, -87.19073
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating81.7 US tons
Inventory rating49.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic62 (2019)
Projected traffic70 by 2039
Trucks0%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$386,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ridge Road over Lye Branch built?

It was built in 2011, making it 14 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ridge Road over Lye Branch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in February 2025.

How much traffic does Ridge Road over Lye Branch carry?

About 62 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Ridge Road over Lye Branch?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Ridge Road over Lye Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.