US Bridges

Ratcliff Lake RD over Lee Creek

FairPosted for load

Houston County, Texas · 0.9 MI NW of SH7 · Structure no. 081303000003034

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
1991 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Ratcliff Lake RD over Lee Creek is a concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Ratcliff Lake RD over Lee Creek in Houston County, Texas. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 50 by 2011. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

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CarriesRatcliff Lake RD
CrossesLee Creek
Location0.9 MI NW of SH7
RouteFederal Lands Road 520.9
CountyHouston County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.39384, -95.15929
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating20.4 US tons
Inventory rating15.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1991)
Projected traffic50 by 2011
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$93 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ratcliff Lake RD over Lee Creek built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ratcliff Lake RD over Lee 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Ratcliff Lake RD over Lee Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1991 count).

How long is Ratcliff Lake RD over Lee Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Ratcliff Lake RD over Lee Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.