US Bridges

CR 197 over Drainage Ditch

FairPosted for load

Brazoria County, Texas · 0.15 MI NW of CR 171 · Structure no. 120200AA0880001

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
62 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
180
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 197 over Drainage Ditch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying CR 197 over Drainage Ditch in Brazoria County, Texas. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 5 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 180 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 220 by 2037. The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 197
CrossesDrainage Ditch
Location0.15 MI NW of CR 171
RouteCounty Highway 197
CountyBrazoria County
StateTexas
Coordinates29.30756, -95.26566
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length62 ft (18.9 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic180 (2017)
Projected traffic220 by 2037
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 197 over Drainage Ditch built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 197 over Drainage Ditch 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 CR 197 over Drainage Ditch carry?

About 180 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is CR 197 over Drainage Ditch?

The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns CR 197 over Drainage Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.