US Bridges

CR 491- Gifford LN over Drainage Ditch

FairPosted for load

Brazoria County, Texas · 0.01 MI W of FM 523 · Structure no. 120200AA0978001

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
54 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
610
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 491- Gifford LN over Drainage Ditch is a concrete slab carrying CR 491- Gifford LN over Drainage Ditch in Brazoria County, Texas. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 610 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,000 by 2032. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCR 491- Gifford LN
CrossesDrainage Ditch
Location0.01 MI W of FM 523
RouteCounty Highway 491
CountyBrazoria County
StateTexas
Coordinates29.14394, -95.41046
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic610 (2012)
Projected traffic1,000 by 2032
Trucks1%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 491- Gifford LN over Drainage Ditch built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 491- Gifford LN 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does CR 491- Gifford LN over Drainage Ditch carry?

About 610 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is CR 491- Gifford LN over Drainage Ditch?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns CR 491- Gifford LN over Drainage Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.