Total bridges
710
Public highway bridges in Madison County
County profile · official public datasets
Madison County, AL
710 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 41.8% rated Good, 56.9% Fair, 1.3% Poor.
- 710
- Public bridges
- 41.8%
- Good condition
- 1.3%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Madison County posts a top-quartile lowest Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across large county bridge inventory.
- Top 22%
- lowest Poor share in state
- 1.3%
- Poor-condition share
- 710
- public highway bridges
- 1972
- avg year built
Poor is an FHWA condition category from the lowest applicable component rating (4 or below), not a live crossing-safety or closure decision. Rankings cover counties with at least five public highway bridges.
Madison County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Madison County ranks #15 of 67 Alabama counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 1.3%). Madison County, Alabama contains 710 public highway bridges. Roughly 41.8% are rated “Good,” 56.9% “Fair,” and 1.3% “Poor.” Poor means the lowest applicable deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert rating is 4 or below on the 0–9 NBI scale. It is a condition category, not a live safety or closure decision.
Responsible agencies inspect covered bridges on risk-based intervals under current NBIS rules and submit inventory data to FHWA annually. The list below shows every NBI-tracked bridge in the county. Use the “Sort by” controls to change the ordering, and click any row for its reported inspection date, traffic count, and condition fields.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See methodology for full definitions.
Good condition
41.8%
297 of 710 rated 7-9
Fair condition
56.9%
404 of 710 rated 5-6
Poor condition
1.3%
9 of 710 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#15 of 67
Among Alabama counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 710 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 41.8% (297)
Fair 56.9% (404)
Poor 1.3% (9)
Madison County's Poor-condition bridges carry 35,312 vehicle crossings a day
That is 0.5% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 1.3% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 3,924 crossings a day against 10,801 for a Good-condition one. A Poor rating is a condition category, not a closure or a live safety judgement; it means the lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below.
Computed over the 709 of 710 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
55.5% of Madison County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
394 of the 710 bridges with a recorded construction year were built in 1974 or earlier. Age alone is not a defect: a well-maintained older bridge can rate Good, and 41.8% of this county's inventory does. Even so, this older cohort is the population from which future Poor ratings are drawn, which is why the age profile below matters alongside the condition split above.
Cutoff derives from the 2024 release year minus a 50-year design life. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
One structure carries 54.1% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
SPARKMAN DR over PINHOOK CREEK, built 1968, carries 19,100 vehicles a day, the most of any Poor-rated structure here. The county's Poor-condition exposure is concentrated rather than evenly spread, so the 9-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 35,312 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Madison County's bridges were built
710 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1900s 1
1900–1909
1 bridges
- 1910s 4
1910–1919
4 bridges
- 1920s 12
1920–1929
12 bridges
- 1930s
1930–1939
97 bridges
- 1940s
1940–1949
63 bridges
- 1950s
1950–1959
73 bridges
- 1960s
1960–1969
93 bridges
- 1970s
1970–1979
64 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
79 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
99 bridges
- 2000s
2000–2009
66 bridges
- 2010s
2010–2019
46 bridges
- 2020s 13
2020–2029
13 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1990s, when 99 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 13.9% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 25 to 34 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1972) matches the Alabama average (1974).
How Madison County compares with Alabama's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 Alabama counties nearest Madison County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 1.3% Poor share is the 2nd-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1972 against a peer-group mean of 1979 is 7 years older.
Showing the 5 closest of 66 Alabama counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County (this page) | 710 | 41.8% | 56.9% | 1.3% | 1972 |
| Mobile County | 612 | 21.1% | 76.1% | 2.8% | 1980 |
| Montgomery County | 596 | 37.9% | 59.9% | 2.2% | 1975 |
| Tuscaloosa County | 482 | 44.6% | 54.8% | 0.6% | 1981 |
| Calhoun County | 386 | 32.9% | 63.2% | 3.9% | 1969 |
| Baldwin County | 381 | 48.3% | 50.4% | 1.3% | 1991 |
Each share is of that county's own total tracked bridges; peers are the counties with 5 or more bridges whose inventory size is closest to Madison County's. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
Nationwide counties with similar inventory size or average build year
Two NBI-derived peer sets for Madison County, both outside Alabama so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside AL (710 bridges here).
- Montgomery County, TX · 710 bridges
- McLennan County, TX · 714 bridges
- Pinal County, AZ · 716 bridges
- Pulaski County, AR · 721 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside AL (1972 here).
- Santa Clara County, CA · avg 1972 · 964 bridges
- Kern County, CA · avg 1972 · 668 bridges
- York County, PA · avg 1972 · 569 bridges
- Middlesex County, NJ · avg 1972 · 563 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (404)
PALMER ROAD
FairOver: PALMER BRANCH
0.8 MI W SULLIVAN ST., Madison, AL
Built 1940 Load: 21.1 t ADT: 950
WALKER LA
FairOver: SPELCE BRANCH
0.5 W CO RD 1324, Madison, AL
Built 1940 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 550
US 72; SR 2
FairOver: BROGLIN CREEK
0.8 MI E JCT US 72 * SR53, Madison, AL
Built 1956 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 39,849
I-565; ALT US 72
FairOver: N/S R.R / CITY STREETS
1.3 MI E JCT I565 * SR53, Madison, AL
Built 1991 Load: 21.2 t ADT: 98,210
STATE LINE RD
FairOver: LIMESTONE CREEK
0.4 MI W JCT CO RD 495, Madison, AL
Built 1966 Load: 21.3 t ADT: 915
RYLAND PIKE
FairOver: FLINT RIVER RELIEF
1.0 MI W MAYSVILLE, Madison, AL
Built 1948 Load: 21.5 t ADT: 1,500
MCKEE RD
FairOver: LIMESTONE CREEK
0.1 MI WEST CO RD 1336, Madison, AL
Built 1955 Load: 21.5 t ADT: 1,434
HURRICANE RD
FairOver: ELDER BRANCH
0.4 MI SO CO RD 469, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 420
MONROE RD
FairOver: BEAVER DAM CREEK
1.5 MI W US HWY 431, Madison, AL
Built 1958 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 1,724
BUDDY WILLIAMSON
FairOver: HESTER CREEK
2.6 MI W JCT FAP 116, Madison, AL
Built 1963 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 705
PALMER ROAD
FairOver: BRADFORD CREEK
1 MI W SULLIVAN STREET, Madison, AL
Built 1940 Load: 21.9 t ADT: 950
JOE QUICK RD
FairOver: FLINT RIVER
0.3 MI NE JCT CO RD 186, Madison, AL
Built 1948 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 3,078
SR 53
FairOver: LIMESTONE CREEK
15 MI N JCT US72 * SR53, Madison, AL
Built 1957 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 8,223
SR 255
FairOver: US 72; SR 2
JCT US 72 * SR 255, Madison, AL
Built 1968 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 29,982
SR 255
FairOver: US 72; SR 2
JCT US 72 * SR 255, Madison, AL
Built 1968 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 29,982
STEGER RD
FairOver: SANDIDGE CREEK
2.0 MI E JCT US HWY 431, Madison, AL
Built 1939 Load: 22.1 t ADT: 1,256
KING DRAKE RD
FairOver: HARRISON BRANCH
0.2 MI SO CO RD 1332, Madison, AL
Built 1939 Load: 22.1 t ADT: 250
MAYSVILLE RD
FairOver: DALLAS CREEK
1020 MAYSVILLE RD, Madison, AL
Built 1965 Load: 22.1 t ADT: 2,525
CLUBVIEW DR
FairOver: BROGLAN BRANCH
1403 CLUBVIEW, Madison, AL
Built 1968 Load: 22.3 t ADT: 515
US 231
FairOver: BRIAR FORK FLINT RIVER
8 MI S TENN ST LINE, Madison, AL
Built 1956 Load: 22.5 t ADT: 13,648
OLD MONROVIA RD
FairOver: INDIAN CREEK
0.3 MI E CO RD 1088, Madison, AL
Built 1956 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 8,342
ELKWOOD SECTION R
FairOver: LIMESTONE CREEK
0.4 MI W JCT CO RD 011, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 400
READY SECTION RD
FairOver: BRIER FORK CREEK
1.0 MI E JCT CO RD 106, Madison, AL
Built 1964 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 990
I-565; ALT US 72
FairOver: N/S R.R / CITY STREETS
1.3 MI E JCT I565 * SR53, Madison, AL
Built 1991 Load: 22.9 t ADT: 98,210
NEW HOPE CED PT R
FairOver: TREMBLE CREEK
2.5 MI NE JCT CO RD176, Madison, AL
Built 1938 Load: 23.0 t ADT: 785
ALBERT MANN RD
FairOver: POND CREEK
0.2 MI W OF CO RD 384, Madison, AL
Built 1938 Load: 23.2 t ADT: 650
EDGAR GOOCH RD
FairOver: FOWLER CREEK
0.5 MI N JCT CO RD 274, Madison, AL
Built 1966 Load: 23.3 t ADT: 202
OLD 431 HWY
FairOver: BERKLEY CREEK
1.2 MI NE US HWY 431, Madison, AL
Built 1928 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,000
BAITES RD
FairOver: ENNIS BRANCH
0.1 MI N JCT CO RD 015, Madison, AL
Built 1935 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 316
BO HOWARD RD
FairOver: DRY BRANCH
0.4 MI S CO RD 015, Madison, AL
Built 1935 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 239
MOORES MILL RD
FairOver: BRIDGES CREEK
0.5 MI N JCT FAP 116, Madison, AL
Built 1935 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,700
MILL ROAD
FairOver: MADISON BRANCH
0.7 MI W SULLIVAN ST., Madison, AL
Built 1935 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 2,500
MCMULLEN RD
FairOver: COLLIER BRANCH
0.2 N CO RD JCT 220, Madison, AL
Built 1935 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 595
OLD RR BED RD
FairOver: TONEY SPRING BRANCH
0.5 MI N TONEY, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 750
SCOTT RD
FairOver: CHANDLER CREEK
0.1 MI N JCT CO RD 282, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 797
SHADY GROVE RD
FairOver: SWEETWATER BRANCH
0.3 MI E ALA HWY 53, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 200
BOBO SECTION RD
FairOver: WILL HOLT BRANCH
0.6 MI W CO RD 138, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 750
PAINT ROCK RD
FairOver: POND CREEK
0.7 MI E CO RD 384, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 500
LITTLE COVE RD
FairOver: SAND BRANCH
0.5 MI W JCT US HWY 72, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 2,297
PULASKI PIKE
FairOver: BEAVER DAM CREEK
100 FT N JCT CO RD 075, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 6,303
CARTERS GROVE RD
FairOver: READY BRANCH
0.1 MI N CO RD 1263, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,076
C C IVEY RD
FairOver: LEMLEY BRANCH
0.2 MI E JCT CO RD 375, Madison, AL
Built 1936 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 140
NICK FITCHARD RD
FairOver: DRY CREEK
0.8 MI N CO RD 032, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 163
MAPLES RD
FairOver: YELLOW BANK CREEK
2.0 MI S JCT CO RD 364, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 319
CHERRY TREE RD
FairOver: COLLIER BRANCH
0.1 MI E JCT CO RD 413, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 600
GREENVILLE PIKE
FairOver: SKINEM BRANCH
2.5 SO LINCOLN CO LINE, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 595
TANNER RD
FairOver: PIGRUM BRANCH
0.2 MI SO JCT CO RD 154, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 140
READY SECTION RD
FairOver: DRY CREEK
0.2 MI E FAS RT 02, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 400
OAK GROVE RD
FairOver: HESS SPRING BRANCH
0.25 MI NORTH CO RD1164, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 487
OAK GROVE RD
FairOver: SCOTT BRANCH
0.15 MI EAST CO RD 1379, Madison, AL
Built 1937 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 300
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges
Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.