Is COUNTY ROAD 54 Safe?
COUNTY ROAD 54 in Alabama has a Condition Score of 89/100 (Grade A). The deck is rated 8/9, superstructure 8/9, and substructure 8/9. The bridge is not currently classified as structurally deficient. Built in 2002 (24 years old), it carries approximately 300K vehicles per day.
COUNTY ROAD 54 carries an A on the BridgeSafety Condition Score with 89/100. Deck, superstructure, and substructure ratings all sit in the better tier of the FHWA NBI distribution. The bridge is structurally sound by federal standards.
The bridge was built in 2002 and is 24 years old — relatively young against the U.S. bridge stock. Modern bridges built to current FHWA standards generally outperform older structures on condition ratings. COUNTY ROAD 54 carries an average daily traffic count of 300,356 vehicles, with 2 lane(s) crossing Piney Woods Creek. The owning agency is County Highway Agency; bridge inspection records flow into the federal NBI database annually.
BridgeSafety reads the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI) — the authoritative federal dataset covering every public road bridge longer than 20 feet in the United States. Each bridge record includes age, structural condition by component, traffic load, and the formal sufficiency rating that determines federal funding eligibility.
The Structurally Deficient designation flags bridges where at least one primary component (deck, superstructure, substructure) is rated in poor condition on the FHWA 0-9 scale. FHWA explicitly notes that bridges with this designation remain open and safe when they meet load-rating requirements; the designation signals rehabilitation need, not closure.
What the Condition Score Means
COUNTY ROAD 54 earns a Condition Score of 89/100, an A grade in the BridgeWatch composite. All three load-carrying components — deck, superstructure, and substructure — score in the upper end of the FHWA 0-9 condition scale, indicating physical condition consistent with routine maintenance rather than rehabilitation. An A does not guarantee zero issues; it indicates the latest NBI inspection found no individual component rated below "Satisfactory."
COUNTY ROAD 54 is not currently classified as structurally deficient. All three primary components — deck, superstructure, and substructure — rate above 4 on the FHWA NBI 0-9 scale, the threshold for the federal "structurally deficient" label. The bridge remains in the routine inspection cycle (typically every 24 months) without triggering federal rehabilitation funding eligibility.
Component Ratings
| Component | Rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | 8 | /9 |
| Superstructure | 8 | /9 |
| Substructure | 8 | /9 |
| Overall Score | 89/100 | Grade A |
FHWA scale: 9 Excellent, 7 Good, 5 Fair, 4 Poor, lower readings indicate progressively worse condition. Component ratings reflect the most recent inspection submitted to the National Bridge Inventory.
Age and Traffic Context
Built in 2002, COUNTY ROAD 54 is 24 years old — well inside its design life. Modern bridges are typically engineered for a 75-year service life with appropriate maintenance, and structures of this vintage are generally in early-life condition unless impacted by external factors (vehicle strikes, scour, environmental exposure).
COUNTY ROAD 54 carries roughly 300K vehicles per day, a heavy traffic volume that places it among the higher-priority structures in the inventory for maintenance allocation. Heavy daily traffic accelerates deck wear, joint deterioration, and accumulated fatigue on superstructure elements, which is why busy interstate and arterial bridges often appear on rehabilitation priority lists.
Bridge Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Is COUNTY ROAD 54 safe to cross?
COUNTY ROAD 54 remains open to traffic at posted load limits set by the owning state DOT. Its current Condition Score is 89/100 (Grade A). NBI condition ratings describe observed physical condition; they are not closure or safety determinations. State DOTs and the FHWA bridge program are the authoritative sources for any operational restriction on a specific structure. The bridge does not meet the federal definition of "structurally deficient."
What do the deck, superstructure, and substructure ratings mean?
On the FHWA NBI 0-9 scale: 9 is Excellent, 7 Good, 5 Fair, 4 Poor, and 0 means the component has failed. COUNTY ROAD 54 rates deck 8/9, superstructure 8/9, and substructure 8/9. The deck is the riding surface; the superstructure carries loads from deck to bearings (girders, beams, trusses); the substructure transfers loads to foundations (piers, abutments). A rating of 4 or lower on any of the three triggers the "structurally deficient" classification.
When was COUNTY ROAD 54 last inspected?
Federal regulation requires inspection at least every 24 months by a certified team leader. Inspection records flow from the Alabama Department of Transportation to the FHWA NBI; the dataset on this page reflects the 2025 federal NBI release, refreshed April 2026. For the most recent inspection report or any operational status (postings, lane closures), the Alabama DOT is the authoritative source.
Is COUNTY ROAD 54 structurally deficient?
No — COUNTY ROAD 54 does not currently meet the FHWA "structurally deficient" definition. All three primary components rate above 4 on the NBI 0-9 scale.
Where can I see official inspection records for COUNTY ROAD 54?
The Federal Highway Administration publishes the underlying inspection data through the National Bridge Inventory (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbi.cfm). The Alabama DOT publishes additional state-level reporting and operational notices. The ASCE Infrastructure Report Card provides national-level analysis that draws on the same NBI data.