US Bridges

FM 342 over Br Little Cottonwood Crk

Fair

Limestone County, Texas · 1.65 MI SW of FM 339 · Structure no. 091470083102015

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
27 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
480
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM 342 over Br Little Cottonwood Crk is a concrete culvert carrying FM 342 over Br Little Cottonwood Crk in Limestone County, Texas. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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 480 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 150 by 2038. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM 342
CrossesBr Little Cottonwood Crk
Location1.65 MI SW of FM 339
RouteState Highway 342
CountyLimestone County
StateTexas
Coordinates31.58416, -96.77971
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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span6 ft (1.8 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic480 (2023)
Projected traffic150 by 2038
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$400,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM 342 over Br Little Cottonwood Crk built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM 342 over Br Little Cottonwood Crk 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does FM 342 over Br Little Cottonwood Crk carry?

About 480 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is FM 342 over Br Little Cottonwood Crk?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 6 ft (1.8 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns FM 342 over Br Little Cottonwood Crk?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.