US Bridges

Bottoms Road over Big Elm Creek

FairPosted for load

Bell County, Texas · 1.55 MI S of FM 935 · Structure no. 090140AA0194002

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Concrete
Length
63 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
152
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bottoms Road over Big Elm Creek is a concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bottoms Road over Big Elm Creek in Bell County, Texas. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 152 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 300 by 2037. The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesBottoms Road
CrossesBig Elm Creek
Location1.55 MI S of FM 935
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBell County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.16486, -97.26185
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating27 US tons
Inventory rating18 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length63 ft (19.2 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic152 (2020)
Projected traffic300 by 2037
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$313,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bottoms Road over Big Elm Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

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

About 152 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Bottoms Road over Big Elm Creek?

The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Bottoms Road over Big Elm Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.