US Bridges

Sweetwater Road over Chocolate Bayou

Fair

Calhoun County, Texas · 0.7 MI W of FM 2433 · Structure no. 130290AA0205001

Built
1984
41 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Concrete
Length
91 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
249
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sweetwater Road over Chocolate Bayou is a concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sweetwater Road over Chocolate Bayou in Calhoun County, Texas. It was built in 1984, so it is 41 years old, younger 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 249 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 63 by 2042. The structure is 91 ft (27.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSweetwater Road
CrossesChocolate Bayou
Location0.7 MI W of FM 2433
RouteCounty Highway 205
CountyCalhoun County
StateTexas
Coordinates28.5948, -96.69692
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating75 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length91 ft (27.7 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic249 (2022)
Projected traffic63 by 2042
Trucks2%
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

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sweetwater Road over Chocolate Bayou built?

It was built in 1984, making it 41 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sweetwater Road over Chocolate Bayou 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 Sweetwater Road over Chocolate Bayou carry?

About 249 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Sweetwater Road over Chocolate Bayou?

The structure is 91 ft (27.7 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Sweetwater Road over Chocolate Bayou?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.