US Bridges

N. Ward Road over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Ellis County, Texas · 0.75 MI N of US 67 · Structure no. 180710D00375002

Built
1999
26 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2022
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
31 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
93
2015 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

N. Ward Road over Cottonwood Creek is a concrete culvert carrying N. Ward Road over Cottonwood Creek in Ellis County, Texas. It was built in 1999, so it is 26 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 93 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 850 by 2035. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesN. Ward Road
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location0.75 MI N of US 67
RouteCity Street 0
CountyEllis County
StateTexas
Coordinates32.47529, -97.03328
Functional classUrban 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span9 ft (2.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic93 (2015)
Projected traffic850 by 2035
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 N. Ward Road over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1999, making it 26 years old in 2025.

What condition is N. Ward Road over Cottonwood 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 December 2022.

How much traffic does N. Ward Road over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 93 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is N. Ward Road over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 9 ft (2.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns N. Ward Road over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.