US Bridges

Old HWY 81 over West Fork Deer Creek

Fair

Bell County, Texas · 0.30 MI SW of Falls C/L · Structure no. 090140AA0172002

Built
1922
103 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
57 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
75
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old HWY 81 over West Fork Deer Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Old HWY 81 over West Fork Deer Creek in Bell County, Texas. It was built in 1922, so it is 103 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 75 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 175 by 2037. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld HWY 81
CrossesWest Fork Deer Creek
Location0.30 MI SW of Falls C/L
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBell County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.27113, -97.27732
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (2023)
Projected traffic175 by 2037
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$313,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old HWY 81 over West Fork Deer Creek built?

It was built in 1922, making it 103 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old HWY 81 over West Fork Deer 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 Old HWY 81 over West Fork Deer Creek carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Old HWY 81 over West Fork Deer Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Old HWY 81 over West Fork Deer Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.