US 70 over Shorty Creek

Fair

Cottle County, Texas · 2.81 MI E of US 83 · Structure no. 250510014603011

Built: 1929; 96 years old, rebuilt 1959
Condition: Fair; inspected February 2023
Type: Culvert; Concrete
Length: 43 ft; 4 main spans
Daily traffic: 623; 2020 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 70 over Shorty Creek is a concrete culvert carrying US 70 over Shorty Creek in Cottle County, Texas. It was built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1959, so it is 96 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.

It carries about 623 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,310 by 2033. The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 46 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps

CarriesUS 70

CrossesShorty Creek

Location2.81 MI E of US 83

RouteU.S. Route 70

CountyCottle County

StateTexas

Coordinates34.03254, -100.26108

Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Culvert	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.

Last inspectionFebruary 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating44 US tons

Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert

MaterialConcrete

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans4

Design loadH 15

Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)

Longest span10 ft (3 m)

Deck width46 ft (14.1 m)

Roadway width42 ft (12.9 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic623 (2020)

Projected traffic1,310 by 2033

Trucks21%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed—

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 proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 70 over Shorty Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1959.

What condition is US 70 over Shorty 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 US 70 over Shorty Creek carry?

About 623 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is US 70 over Shorty Creek?

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 46 ft wide.

Who owns US 70 over Shorty Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.