US Bridges

Royal Street over Smith Branch

Fair

Bell County, Texas · 1.20 MI E of FM 2268 · Structure no. 090140AA0463001

Built
1987
38 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
112 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
609
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Royal Street over Smith Branch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Royal Street over Smith Branch in Bell County, Texas. It was built in 1987 and reconstructed in 1990, so it is 38 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 609 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,000 by 2026. The structure is 112 ft (34.1 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesRoyal Street
CrossesSmith Branch
Location1.20 MI E of FM 2268
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBell County
StateTexas
Coordinates30.9419, -97.51852
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 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 adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length112 ft (34.1 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic609 (2020)
Projected traffic1,000 by 2026
Trucks0%
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$523,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Royal Street over Smith Branch built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is Royal Street over Smith 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Royal Street over Smith Branch carry?

About 609 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is Royal Street over Smith Branch?

The structure is 112 ft (34.1 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Royal Street over Smith Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.