US Bridges

Big Elm Road over Big Elm Creek Branch

Fair

Bell County, Texas · 0.20 MI E of IH 35 · Structure no. 090140AA0176001

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Other
Prestressed Concrete
Length
20 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
136
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Big Elm Road over Big Elm Creek Branch is a prestressed concrete other carrying Big Elm Road over Big Elm Creek Branch in Bell County, Texas. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 5 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 136 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 175 by 2037. The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBig Elm Road
CrossesBig Elm Creek Branch
Location0.20 MI E of IH 35
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBell County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.2359, -97.28247
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeOther
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length20 ft (6.1 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic136 (2020)
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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$208,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Big Elm Road over Big Elm Creek Branch built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Big Elm Road over Big Elm Creek Branch 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 Big Elm Road over Big Elm Creek Branch carry?

About 136 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Big Elm Road over Big Elm Creek Branch?

The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Big Elm Road over Big Elm Creek Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.