(a) The Department of Transportation or other proper state body upon request from any local authorities shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any public bridge, causeway or viaduct, and if it shall thereupon find that such structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under this article, the department shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles which such structure can withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating such maximum speed to be erected and maintained at a distance of 100 feet before each end of such structure. When such public bridge, causeway or viaduct is within a municipality, such suitable signs stating such maximum speed shall be erected within such less distance of 100 feet before each end of such structure as the governing body of such municipality shall so ordain. The findings and determination of the department shall be conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can with safety to any such structure be maintained thereon.
(b) It shall be unlawful and constitute a misdemeanor to drive any vehicle upon any public bridge, causeway or viaduct at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can with safety to such structure be maintained thereon, when such structure is signposted as provided in this section, and any person violating the provisions of this section upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.00 or by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for not more than 10 days; for a second such conviction within one year thereafter such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than $200.00 or by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for not more than 20 days or by both such fine and imprisonment; upon a third or subsequent conviction within one year after the first conviction such person shall be punished by fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment at hard labor in the county or municipal jail for not more than six months or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Structure Code of Alabama