US Bridges

AL-69 over BNSF Railroad

Fair

Walker County, Alabama · .5M S AL-124 Interchange · Structure no. 004090

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
196 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
3,850
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

AL-69 over BNSF Railroad is a concrete tee beam carrying AL-69 over BNSF Railroad in Walker County, Alabama. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 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 3,850 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,330 by 2040. The structure is 196 ft (59.7 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesAL-69
CrossesBNSF Railroad
Location.5M S AL-124 Interchange
RouteState Highway 69
CountyWalker County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.80745, -87.33306
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating44.3 US tons
Inventory rating26.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadH 15
Structure length196 ft (59.7 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.2 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,850 (2020)
Projected traffic3,330 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad and waterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$1.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was AL-69 over BNSF Railroad built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is AL-69 over BNSF Railroad 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does AL-69 over BNSF Railroad carry?

About 3,850 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is AL-69 over BNSF Railroad?

The structure is 196 ft (59.7 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.2 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns AL-69 over BNSF Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.