US Bridges

FM 431 over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Falls County, Texas · 0.50 MI NE of US 77 · Structure no. 090740081901005

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Concrete
Length
121 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
340
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM 431 over Cottonwood Creek is a concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM 431 over Cottonwood Creek in Falls County, Texas. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 340 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 460 by 2033. The structure is 121 ft (36.9 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM 431
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location0.50 MI NE of US 77
RouteState Highway 431
CountyFalls County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.13944, -96.99573
Functional classRural Major 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
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 2022
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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length121 ft (36.9 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic340 (2020)
Projected traffic460 by 2033
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 km)
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$900,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM 431 over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM 431 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 FM 431 over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 340 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is FM 431 over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 121 ft (36.9 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns FM 431 over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.