US 277 over Cow Creek

Fair

Kinney County, Texas · 2.35 MI S of RM 693 · Structure no. 221360029902024

Built: 1940; 85 years old, rebuilt 1972
Condition: Fair; inspected October 2023
Type: Tee Beam; Concrete
Length: 210 ft; 6 main spans
Daily traffic: 2,840; 2020 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 277 over Cow Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US 277 over Cow Creek in Kinney County, Texas. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 1972, so it is 85 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 2,840 vehicles a day, roughly 24% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,260 by 2033. The structure is 210 ft (64 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 28 mi (45 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 277

CrossesCow Creek

Location2.35 MI S of RM 693

RouteU.S. Route 277

CountyKinney County

StateTexas

Coordinates29.13784, -100.66231

Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Superstructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionOctober 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating60 US tons

Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam

MaterialConcrete

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans6

Design loadH 15

Structure length210 ft (64 m)

Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)

Deck width50 ft (15.3 m)

Roadway width48 ft (14.6 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,840 (2020)

Projected traffic4,260 by 2033

Trucks24%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed28 mi (45 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

Strategic Highway NetworkNon-Interstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency

Maintained byState Highway Agency

Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation

Work proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 277 over Cow Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1972.

What condition is US 277 over Cow 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does US 277 over Cow Creek carry?

About 2,840 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 24% are trucks.

How long is US 277 over Cow Creek?

The structure is 210 ft (64 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns US 277 over Cow Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.