US Bridges

SH 81 over Island Creek

Fair

Hill County, Texas · 0.9 MI N of FM 67 · Structure no. 091100001405083

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
103 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,349
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 81 over Island Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SH 81 over Island Creek in Hill County, Texas. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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 1,349 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,541 by 2039. The structure is 103 ft (31.4 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSH 81
CrossesIsland Creek
Location0.9 MI N of FM 67
RouteState Highway 81
CountyHill County
StateTexas
Coordinates32.22713, -97.18093
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
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 adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadOther
Structure length103 ft (31.4 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,349 (2023)
Projected traffic1,541 by 2039
Trucks18%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$600,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SH 81 over Island Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is SH 81 over Island 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 2024.

How much traffic does SH 81 over Island Creek carry?

About 1,349 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is SH 81 over Island Creek?

The structure is 103 ft (31.4 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns SH 81 over Island Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.