Total bridges
344
Public highway bridges in Shelby County
County profile · official public datasets
Shelby County, AL
344 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 41% rated Good, 58.1% Fair, 0.9% Poor.
- 344
- Public bridges
- 41%
- Good condition
- 0.9%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Shelby County pairs a top-quartile lowest Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state with a newer average build year than the state inventory.
- Top 15%
- lowest Poor share in state
- 0.9%
- Poor-condition share
- 344
- public highway bridges
- 1981
- 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.
Shelby County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Shelby County ranks #10 of 67 Alabama counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 0.9%). Shelby County, Alabama contains 344 public highway bridges. Roughly 41% are rated “Good,” 58.1% “Fair,” and 0.9% “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%
141 of 344 rated 7-9
Fair condition
58.1%
200 of 344 rated 5-6
Poor condition
0.9%
3 of 344 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#10 of 67
Among Alabama counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 344 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 41% (141)
Fair 58.1% (200)
Poor 0.9% (3)
Shelby County's Poor-condition bridges carry 29,411 vehicle crossings a day
That is 1.2% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 0.9% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry more traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 9,804 crossings a day against 2,663 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 344 of 344 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
32.3% of Shelby County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
111 of the 344 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% 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 96.9% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
AL - 3 NORTH over PEAVINE CK * ACL RR, built 1924, carries 28,511 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 3-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 29,411 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Shelby County's bridges were built
344 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1900s 1
1900–1909
1 bridges
- 1920s 15
1920–1929
15 bridges
- 1930s 23
1930–1939
23 bridges
- 1940s 4
1940–1949
4 bridges
- 1950s 32
1950–1959
32 bridges
- 1960s 26
1960–1969
26 bridges
- 1970s
1970–1979
42 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
39 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
53 bridges
- 2000s
2000–2009
82 bridges
- 2010s 21
2010–2019
21 bridges
- 2020s 6
2020–2029
6 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 2000s, when 82 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 23.8% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 15 to 24 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year is 1981, 7 years newer than the Alabama average of 1974.
How Shelby County compares with Alabama's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 Alabama counties nearest Shelby County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 0.9% Poor share is the 1st-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1981 against a peer-group mean of 1973 is 8 years newer.
Showing the 5 closest of 66 Alabama counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | 386 | 32.9% | 63.2% | 3.9% | 1969 |
| Baldwin County | 381 | 48.3% | 50.4% | 1.3% | 1991 |
| Shelby County (this page) | 344 | 41% | 58.1% | 0.9% | 1981 |
| Covington County | 332 | 31.9% | 63% | 5.1% | 1970 |
| Limestone County | 324 | 45.1% | 52.8% | 2.2% | 1972 |
| Jackson County | 314 | 29% | 67.2% | 3.8% | 1961 |
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 Shelby 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 Shelby County, both outside Alabama so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside AL (344 bridges here).
- DuPage County, IL · 344 bridges
- Kankakee County, IL · 344 bridges
- Cumberland County, ME · 344 bridges
- Greene County, OH · 344 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside AL (1981 here).
- Franklin County, OH · avg 1981 · 922 bridges
- Greenville County, SC · avg 1981 · 635 bridges
- Montgomery County, OH · avg 1981 · 632 bridges
- McLean County, IL · avg 1981 · 624 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (200)
AL - 119
FairOver: LAKE PURDY
2.1 MI.NO.U.S. 280, Shelby, AL
Built 1973 Load: 49.1 t ADT: 10,530
AL 25
FairOver: BRANCH
4.8 MI NO JCT AL 70, Shelby, AL
Built 1931 Load: 51.6 t ADT: 5,530
CO. HWY. 45
FairOver: YELLOW BRANCH CREEK
1.3 MI. N OF ST. 25, Shelby, AL
Built 1990 Load: 51.7 t ADT: 606
OVERLAND ROAD
FairOver: SHOAL CREEK
SHOAL CK * OVERLAND RD, Shelby, AL
Built 1994 Load: 52.1 t ADT: 3,000
CR 26
FairOver: BUCK CREEK
.25 MI WEST OF AL 119, Shelby, AL
Built 2003 Load: 54.2 t ADT: 9,533
US 280
FairOver: BRANCH
.3 MI. E CO RD 39, Shelby, AL
Built 1976 Load: 55.6 t ADT: 25,070
CO. HWY. 91
FairOver: BEAVER DAM CREEK
2.3MI S.JCT. COS 52* 17, Shelby, AL
Built 1990 Load: 56.5 t ADT: 500
AL 25
FairOver: BRANCH
@ CO. RD. 227, Shelby, AL
Built 1925 Load: 57.3 t ADT: 6,290
AL 25
FairOver: TOWN CREEK
.4 MI. SO. I-65, Shelby, AL
Built 1928 Load: 57.5 t ADT: 8,490
CO RD 57
FairOver: LITTLE CREEK
2 MI. NO. OF AL 25, Shelby, AL
Built 1998 Load: 58.1 t ADT: 98
CO. HWY. 69
FairOver: S. FORK YELLOWLEAF
1.7 MI N JCT CO 47, Shelby, AL
Built 1986 Load: 59.6 t ADT: 685
AL - 25
FairOver: CSXT RAILROAD
VINCENT, Shelby, AL
Built 2016 Load: 61.0 t ADT: 6,810
CHELSEA PARK TRAIL
FairOver: UT TO YELLOWLEAF CK
CHELSEA PARK SUBDIVISION, Shelby, AL
Built 2007 Load: 63.9 t ADT: 20
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: BRANCH
.4 MI. W. CO RD 51, Shelby, AL
Built 1976 Load: 74.3 t ADT: 19,210
US 31
FairOver: BRANCH MP 251.40
. 4 MI NO JCT CO RD 26, Shelby, AL
Built 1957 Load: 75.1 t ADT: 11,185
CO. HWY. 42
FairOver: S. FORK CAMP BRANCH
0.2 MI E ST. 25, Shelby, AL
Built 1992 Load: 77.1 t ADT: 1,588
AL 25
FairOver: BRANCH
1.5 MI NO CO RD 42, Shelby, AL
Built 1928 Load: 84.4 t ADT: 3,300
SURREY LANE
FairOver: CAHABA VALLEY CREEK
WAGON TRACE SUBDIVISION, Shelby, AL
Built 1970 Load: 86.7 t ADT: 500
COUNTY ROAD 39
FairOver: SOUTH FORK YELLOWLEAF CR
2 MI SW JCT CO RD 74, Shelby, AL
Built 2001 Load: 88.4 t ADT: 600
AL 25
FairOver: BRANCH
.1 MI. NO. BEAR CREEK, Shelby, AL
Built 1935 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 1,080
I - 65
FairOver: BRANCH
0.9 MI N CHILTON CO LN, Shelby, AL
Built 1959 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 38,990
I - 65
FairOver: BUCK CK
I 65 * BUCK CK, Shelby, AL
Built 1959 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 57,460
I - 65 NORTH
FairOver: BRANCH
1.5 MI N US 31, Shelby, AL
Built 1975 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 38,920
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: BRANCH
US 280 @ CO RD 47, Shelby, AL
Built 1931 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 32,800
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: LITTLE CREEK
.5 MI.E CO RD 440E, Shelby, AL
Built 1976 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 25,390
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: BRANCH
2 TH MI E CO RD 51, Shelby, AL
Built 1976 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 19,210
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: BRANCH
.3 MI. W CO RD 55, Shelby, AL
Built 1976 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 19,210
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: CLEAR PRONG CREEK
1.8 MI. E CO RD 55, Shelby, AL
Built 1976 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 18,150
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: POPULAR SPRINGS
2.2 MI. E. CO RD 55, Shelby, AL
Built 1976 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 18,150
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: N FORK OF YELLOW LEAF CK
0.1 MI E.JCT CO RD 41, Shelby, AL
Built 1978 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 31,530
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: POPLAR CREEK
0.3 MI E CO RD 43, Shelby, AL
Built 1978 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 31,130
AL - 38 (US 280)
FairOver: DBL MT CREEK
0.5 MI E CO RD 43, Shelby, AL
Built 1978 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 31,130
CO. HWY. 52
FairOver: HOGPEN CREEK
0.8 MI E OF PELHAM, Shelby, AL
Built 1978 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 10,221
I65
FairOver: HOGPEN CREEK
I65 * HOGPEN CK, Shelby, AL
Built 1979 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 77,840
I - 65
FairOver: BISHOP CREEK
.1 MI. SO AL 119, Shelby, AL
Built 1980 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 83,600
CO. HWY. 73
FairOver: S. FORK OF SHOAL CREEK
0.2 MI. S. JCT ST 25, Shelby, AL
Built 1981 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 1,405
CO. HWY. 26
FairOver: N. FORK OF BIG CREEK
6.1 MI. W OF ST. 70, Shelby, AL
Built 1937 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 6,770
CO. HWY. 204
FairOver: KING CREEK
165 W. JCT. CO. HWY. 10, Shelby, AL
Built 1992 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 640
SOUTHLAKE PARKWAY
FairOver: SOUTHLAKE
.5 KM NW JCT CO RD 17, Shelby, AL
Built 1986 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 500
COUNTY ROAD 86
FairOver: LONG BRANCH
.3 MI FROM INT. OF CR42, Shelby, AL
Built 2002 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 700
FOREST LAKES PKWY.
FairOver: POPLAR BRANCH
.2 MI S JCT CO RD 43, Shelby, AL
Built 2000 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 1,000
CR 41
FairOver: UT TO BEAR CREEK
1.4 MILES No. of US 280, Shelby, AL
Built 1958 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 41,000
HIGHLAND VILL. DR.
FairOver: IVY BRANCH
VIL. HIGH. LK. SUB, Shelby, AL
Built 2005 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 300
AL 119
FairOver: ALLEN BRANCH
ALABASTER @ US 31, Shelby, AL
Built 1995 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 25,170
INDIAN VALLEY ROAD
FairOver: INDIAN VALLEY LAKE
0.5 MILE FROM CR 17, Shelby, AL
Built 1960 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 2,000
WEATHERLY WAY
FairOver: PEAVINE CREEK
0.1 MI NW JCT K. CREST LN, Shelby, AL
Built 1990 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 3,645
WEATHERLY WAY
FairOver: PEAVINE CREEK
0.4 MI E JCT CR332/CSX RR, Shelby, AL
Built 1990 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 620
LIME CREEK WAY
FairOver: BOLIVAR CREEK
LIME CREEK SUBDIVISION, Shelby, AL
Built 2006 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 20
NARROWS WAY
FairOver: BRANCH OF YELLOWLEAF CK
NARROWS SUBDIVISION, Shelby, AL
Built 1998 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 900
_Paradise point DR
FairOver: _UT to lay lake
_0.3 mile from CR 28, Shelby, AL
Built 1988 Load: 88.9 t ADT: 75
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.