US Bridges

Shallow Ford Road over Bird Creek

FairPosted for load

Bell County, Texas · 0.35 MI N of Taylors Val · Structure no. 090140AA0701001

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
77 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
263
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Shallow Ford Road over Bird Creek is a concrete slab carrying Shallow Ford Road over Bird Creek in Bell County, Texas. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 263 vehicles a day, projected to reach 335 by 2033. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesShallow Ford Road
CrossesBird Creek
Location0.35 MI N of Taylors Val
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBell County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.04868, -97.41432
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating20.9 US tons
Inventory rating16 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic263 (2020)
Projected traffic335 by 2033
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$349,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Shallow Ford Road over Bird Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Shallow Ford Road over Bird 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Shallow Ford Road over Bird Creek carry?

About 263 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is Shallow Ford Road over Bird Creek?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Shallow Ford Road over Bird Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.