US Bridges

AL-13 over BNSF Railroad

Poor

Walker County, Alabama · .5 MI S AL-118 · Structure no. 005859

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
178 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
2,141
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

AL-13 over BNSF Railroad is a concrete tee beam carrying AL-13 over BNSF Railroad in Walker County, Alabama. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 years old, older than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 2,141 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,742 by 2040. The structure is 178 ft (54.3 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAL-13
CrossesBNSF Railroad
Location.5 MI S AL-118
RouteState Highway 13
CountyWalker County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.91713, -87.62403
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating51.3 US tons
Inventory rating30.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length178 ft (54.3 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,141 (2020)
Projected traffic2,742 by 2040
Trucks18%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was AL-13 over BNSF Railroad built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is AL-13 over BNSF Railroad in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does AL-13 over BNSF Railroad carry?

About 2,141 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is AL-13 over BNSF Railroad?

The structure is 178 ft (54.3 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns AL-13 over BNSF Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.