US Bridges

FM 217 over BNSF Railroad

Fair

Bosque County, Texas · 0.5 MI SE of SH 6 · Structure no. 090180083302036

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Concrete
Length
160 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
632
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM 217 over BNSF Railroad is a concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM 217 over BNSF Railroad in Bosque County, Texas. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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.

It carries about 632 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 885 by 2042. The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesFM 217
CrossesBNSF Railroad
Location0.5 MI SE of SH 6
RouteState Highway 217
CountyBosque County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.65803, -97.49004
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating75 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length160 ft (48.8 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic632 (2023)
Projected traffic885 by 2042
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$915,000
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was FM 217 over BNSF Railroad built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM 217 over BNSF Railroad 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 2024.

How much traffic does FM 217 over BNSF Railroad carry?

About 632 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is FM 217 over BNSF Railroad?

The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns FM 217 over BNSF Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.