CR 281 over Ponton Creek

PoorPosted for load

Lavaca County, Texas · 0.95 MI E of SH 95 · Structure no. 131430AA0172001

Built: 1930; 95 years old
Condition: Poor; inspected February 2025
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 29 ft; 2 main spans
Daily traffic: 50; 2014 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 281 over Ponton Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying CR 281 over Ponton Creek in Lavaca County, Texas. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 years old, older than the Texas average of 44.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 100 by 2034. The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps

CarriesCR 281

CrossesPonton Creek

Location0.95 MI E of SH 95

RouteCounty Highway 281

CountyLavaca County

StateTexas

Coordinates29.49203, -97.13429

Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure	4 Poor	Advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection	4 Poor	Advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.

Last inspectionFebruary 2025

Inspection intervalevery 12 months

Operating statusPosted for load restriction

ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions

Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is

Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action

Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating36 US tons

Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans2

Design loadUnknown

Structure length29 ft (8.8 m)

Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)

Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)

Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2014)

Projected traffic100 by 2034

Trucks0%

Lanes on structure1

Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency

Maintained byCounty Highway Agency

Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation

Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements

Estimated improvement cost$1,000

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 281 over Ponton Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 281 over Ponton Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in February 2025.

How much traffic does CR 281 over Ponton Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2014 count).

How long is CR 281 over Ponton Creek?

The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns CR 281 over Ponton Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.