US Bridges

Owl Creek Road over Metheglin Creek

Fair

Bell County, Texas · 0.95 MI W of SH 36 · Structure no. 090140AA0111001

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
75 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
648
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Owl Creek Road over Metheglin Creek is a concrete slab carrying Owl Creek Road over Metheglin Creek in Bell County, Texas. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 years old, older than the Texas average of 44.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 648 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 625 by 2033. The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOwl Creek Road
CrossesMetheglin Creek
Location0.95 MI W of SH 36
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBell County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.23513, -97.50667
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length75 ft (22.9 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic648 (2020)
Projected traffic625 by 2033
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$349,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Owl Creek Road over Metheglin Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Owl Creek Road over Metheglin Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in December 2023.

How much traffic does Owl Creek Road over Metheglin Creek carry?

About 648 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Owl Creek Road over Metheglin Creek?

The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Owl Creek Road over Metheglin Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.