US Bridges

Lem Bishop Road over Owens Bayou

Good

Galveston County, Texas · 1.5 MI SW of Powers Road · Structure no. 120850AA0472001

Built
2002
23 years old
Condition
Good
inspected December 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
42 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
260
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lem Bishop Road over Owens Bayou is a concrete culvert carrying Lem Bishop Road over Owens Bayou in Galveston County, Texas. It was built in 2002, so it is 23 years old, younger than the Texas average of 44.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 260 vehicles a day, projected to reach 286 by 2031. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLem Bishop Road
CrossesOwens Bayou
Location1.5 MI SW of Powers Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGalveston County
StateTexas
Coordinates29.34641, -95.14087
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic260 (2011)
Projected traffic286 by 2031
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$53,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lem Bishop Road over Owens Bayou built?

It was built in 2002, making it 23 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lem Bishop Road over Owens Bayou in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in December 2023.

How much traffic does Lem Bishop Road over Owens Bayou carry?

About 260 vehicles per day (2011 count).

How long is Lem Bishop Road over Owens Bayou?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Lem Bishop Road over Owens Bayou?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.