US Bridges

Sipsey Road over Sipsey River

Good

Walker County, Alabama · Sipsey Al · Structure no. 017068

Built
1999
26 years old
Condition
Good
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
433 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,420
1998 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sipsey Road over Sipsey River is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sipsey Road over Sipsey River in Walker County, Alabama. It was built in 1999, so it is 26 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 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 3,420 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,080 by 2030. The structure is 433 ft (132 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

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CarriesSipsey Road
CrossesSipsey River
LocationSipsey Al
RouteCounty Highway 22
CountyWalker County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.815, -87.07167
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating85.3 US tons
Inventory rating51 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+4 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length433 ft (132 m)
Longest span131 ft (40 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width39 ft (12 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,420 (1998)
Projected traffic6,080 by 2030
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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$4.4 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sipsey Road over Sipsey River built?

It was built in 1999, making it 26 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sipsey Road over Sipsey River 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Sipsey Road over Sipsey River carry?

About 3,420 vehicles per day (1998 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Sipsey Road over Sipsey River?

The structure is 433 ft (132 m) long with a longest span of 131 ft (40 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns Sipsey Road over Sipsey River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.