US Bridges

Rio Grande Road over Tornillo Creek

Fair

Brewster County, Texas · 16.6 Miles Southeast of P · Structure no. 7130004P0000000

Built
1958
67 years old, rebuilt 1981
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
1,082 ft
18 main spans
Daily traffic
474
2013 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Rio Grande Road over Tornillo Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Rio Grande Road over Tornillo Creek in Brewster County, Texas. It was built in 1958 and reconstructed in 1981, so it is 67 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 474 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 569 by 2033. The structure is 1,082 ft (329.8 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRio Grande Road
CrossesTornillo Creek
Location16.6 Miles Southeast of P
RouteFederal Lands Road 12
CountyBrewster County
StateTexas
Coordinates29.18949, -103.00807
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans18
Design loadHS 20
Structure length1,082 ft (329.8 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic474 (2013)
Projected traffic569 by 2033
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$750,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rio Grande Road over Tornillo Creek built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1981.

What condition is Rio Grande Road over Tornillo 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 2025.

How much traffic does Rio Grande Road over Tornillo Creek carry?

About 474 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Rio Grande Road over Tornillo Creek?

The structure is 1,082 ft (329.8 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Rio Grande Road over Tornillo Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.