Alabama

Highlights from FHWAs 2015 National Bridge Inventory Data

Of the 16,095 bridges in the state, 1,353, or 8%, are classified as structurally deficient. This means
one or more of the key bridge elements, such as the deck, superstructure or substructure, is
considered to be in poor or worse condition.1
2,115 bridges, or 13%, are classified as functionally obsolete. This means the bridge does not meet
design standards in line with current practice.
Federal investment in Alabama has supported $3.2 billion for capital improvements on 5,174 bridges
between 2005 and 2014.2
Since 2004, 834 new bridges have been constructed in the state; 89 have undergone major
reconstruction.

Bridge Inventory
Type of Bridge3
Rural Bridges
Interstate
Other principal arterial
Minor arterial
Major collector
Minor collector
Local
Urban Bridges
Interstate
Freeway/expressway
Other principal arterial
Minor arterial
Collector
Local
Total

Total
Number

All Bridges
Area
(sq. meters)

Daily
Crossings

Structurally Deficient Bridges

Total
Area
Daily
Number
(sq. meters)
Crossings

691
1,141
1,493
3,075
2,448
4,367

1,134,273
1,039,754
903,189
1,219,576
598,954
810,757

14,472,177
8,551,965
4,892,152
4,721,962
1,304,841
1,703,964

10
19
33
167
229
758

6,229
15,817
18,513
51,352
30,772
92,420

240,455
173,520
115,411
156,279
76,355
127,188

559
86
544
383
291
1,017
16,095

1,808,162
174,799
671,524
277,468
169,499
349,398
9,157,353

21,322,168
1,580,477
10,178,266
4,255,558
1,658,798
2,885,286
77,527,616

9
1
9
12
12
94
1,353

72,804
868
6,406
10,230
3,822
29,496
338,729

509,975
32,040
145,450
67,158
54,386
167,793
1,866,010

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a bridge is classified as structurally deficient if the condition rating for the deck,
superstructure, substructure or culvert and retaining walls is rated 4 or below or if the bridge receives an appraisal rating of 2 or less for structural
condition or waterway adequacy. During inspection, the conditions of a variety of bridge elements are rated on a scale of 0 (failed condition) to 9
(excellent condition). A rating of 4 is considered poor condition and the individual element displays signs of advanced section loss, deterioration,
spalling or scour.
2
ARTBA analysis of FHWA data, includes all bridge construction-related spending on projects approved by FHWA between 2005 and 2014.
3
Bridges are classified by FHWA into types based on the functional classification of the roadway on the bridge. Interstates comprise routes officially
designated by the Secretary of Transportation, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Other principal
arterials serve major centers of urban areas or provide mobility through rural areas. Freeways and expressways are similar to interstates, with
directional lanes generally separated by a physical barrier, and access/egress points generally limited to on- and off-ramps. Minor arterials are used for
trips of moderate length, serve smaller geographic areas and connect to the higher arterial system. Collectors funnel traffic from local roads to the
arterial network; major collectors have higher speed limits and traffic volumes, and are longer in length and spaced at greater intervals, while minor
collectors are shorter and provide service to smaller communities. Local roads do not carry through traffic, and are intended for short distance travel.
2016 The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of ARTBA.

Proposed Bridge Work

Type of Work

Number

Bridge replacement
Widening & rehabilitation
Rehabilitation
Deck rehabilitation/replacement
Other work

4,803
570
3,057
9
7,573

Cost
(millions)
$7,602.7
$1,434.7
$11,765.0
$14.3
$18,927.2

Daily Crossings
14,449,982
4,161,103
27,044,665
86,326
31,765,569

Area
(sq. meters)
1,625,453
287,733
3,106,975
4,023
4,115,496

Top 10 Most Traveled Structurally Deficient Bridges in Alabama

Jefferson
Mobile
Jefferson
Mobile
Baldwin
Baldwin
Jefferson
Mobile

Year
Built
1970
1964
1972
1966
1969
1969
1968
1964

Daily
Crossings
136,580
87,610
77,385
73,630
53,560
53,560
41,990
41,490

Jefferson

1936

39,620

Mobile

1967

37,980

County

Type of Bridge
Urban Interstate
Urban Interstate
Urban Interstate
Urban Interstate
Rural Interstate
Rural Interstate
Urban Interstate
Rural Interstate
Urban other
principal arterial
Urban Interstate

Location
I65 over U.S.11,RR&City Streets at I65 2nd Ave. to 2nd Ave.No
I-10 WB & EB over Halls Mill Creek at 2.2 mi E US 90
I-59/20 over US 31,RRs&City Streets at Bham Civic Center
I-10 WB & EB over Southern Drain Canal at 3.3 mi E Jct SR 163
I-10 over D Olive Stream at 1.5 mi E Jct US 90 & I-10
I-10 over Joe S Branch at 0.2 mi E US 90
I 59/20 over Arron Aronov Drive at I 59 & Arron Aronov Dr.
I-10 over Warren Creek at 3.2 mi E Miss St Line
US 78 over Village Ck & Frisco RR at US 78 & Village Creek
I-65 over Hells Swamp Creek at 1.1 mi N Celeste Road

Sources: Bridge data is from the 2015 National Bridge Inventory ASCII files, released by the Federal Highway Administration in January
2016. Note that specific conditions on bridges may have changed as a result of recent work.

2016 The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of ARTBA.