US Bridges

Saddle Road over Fairchilds Creek Trib

Fair

Fort Bend County, Texas · 1.0MI SW of Gerken Road · Structure no. 120800AA0964002

Built
1998
27 years old, rebuilt 2018
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
48 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
234
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Saddle Road over Fairchilds Creek Trib is a steel culvert carrying Saddle Road over Fairchilds Creek Trib in Fort Bend County, Texas. It was built in 1998 and reconstructed in 2018, so it is 27 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 234 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 234 by 2042. The structure is 48 ft (14.6 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSaddle Road
CrossesFairchilds Creek Trib
Location1.0MI SW of Gerken Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFort Bend County
StateTexas
Coordinates29.46501, -95.82775
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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckOther
Main spans5
Design loadUnknown
Structure length48 ft (14.6 m)
Longest span7 ft (2.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic234 (2021)
Projected traffic234 by 2042
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 Saddle Road over Fairchilds Creek Trib built?

It was built in 1998, making it 27 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2018.

What condition is Saddle Road over Fairchilds Creek Trib 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 Saddle Road over Fairchilds Creek Trib carry?

About 234 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Saddle Road over Fairchilds Creek Trib?

The structure is 48 ft (14.6 m) long with a longest span of 7 ft (2.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Saddle Road over Fairchilds Creek Trib?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.