US Bridges

Seaton Road over Big Elm Creek

Fair

Bell County, Texas · 1.15 MI S of SH 53 · Structure no. 090140AA0276001

Built
1991
34 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
82 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
234
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Seaton Road over Big Elm Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Seaton Road over Big Elm Creek in Bell County, Texas. It was built in 1991, so it is 34 years old, younger 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 234 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 200 by 2033. The structure is 82 ft (25 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSeaton Road
CrossesBig Elm Creek
Location1.15 MI S of SH 53
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBell County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.03997, -97.21661
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating56 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length82 ft (25 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic234 (2020)
Projected traffic200 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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$420,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Seaton Road over Big Elm Creek built?

It was built in 1991, making it 34 years old in 2025.

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

About 234 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Seaton Road over Big Elm Creek?

The structure is 82 ft (25 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Seaton Road over Big Elm Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.