US Bridges

W Lake Hou Pkwy NB over Bens Branch

Fair

Harris County, Texas · 1.1 MI N of Lake Houston · Structure no. 121020B37506002

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
249 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
10,000
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

W Lake Hou Pkwy NB over Bens Branch is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying W Lake Hou Pkwy NB over Bens Branch in Harris County, Texas. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 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 10,000 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,000 by 2032. The structure is 249 ft (75.9 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesW Lake Hou Pkwy NB
CrossesBens Branch
Location1.1 MI N of Lake Houston
RouteCity Street 0
CountyHarris County
StateTexas
Coordinates30.04302, -95.17859
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length249 ft (75.9 m)
Longest span83 ft (25.3 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,000 (2012)
Projected traffic15,000 by 2032
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$15,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was W Lake Hou Pkwy NB over Bens Branch built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is W Lake Hou Pkwy NB over Bens Branch 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does W Lake Hou Pkwy NB over Bens Branch carry?

About 10,000 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is W Lake Hou Pkwy NB over Bens Branch?

The structure is 249 ft (75.9 m) long with a longest span of 83 ft (25.3 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns W Lake Hou Pkwy NB over Bens Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.