US Bridges

FM 56 over Hill Creek

Fair

Bosque County, Texas · 12.2 MI NW of JCT SH 174 · Structure no. 090180185202002

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
227 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
558
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM 56 over Hill Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM 56 over Hill Creek in Bosque 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 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 558 vehicles a day, roughly 23% of them trucks, projected to reach 610 by 2039. The structure is 227 ft (69.2 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM 56
CrossesHill Creek
Location12.2 MI NW of JCT SH 174
RouteState Highway 56
CountyBosque County
StateTexas
Coordinates32.16341, -97.66793
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no 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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+1 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length227 ft (69.2 m)
Longest span75 ft (22.9 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic558 (2020)
Projected traffic610 by 2039
Trucks23%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$1.3 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM 56 over Hill Creek built?

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

What condition is FM 56 over Hill 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does FM 56 over Hill Creek carry?

About 558 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 23% are trucks.

How long is FM 56 over Hill Creek?

The structure is 227 ft (69.2 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (22.9 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns FM 56 over Hill Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.