US Bridges

SH 29 over Elm Creek

Fair

Menard County, Texas · 7.04 MI E of US 83 · Structure no. 071640039601012

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1957
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
285 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
705
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 29 over Elm Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying SH 29 over Elm Creek in Menard County, Texas. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1957, so it is 90 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 705 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 910 by 2033. The structure is 285 ft (86.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

CarriesSH 29
CrossesElm Creek
Location7.04 MI E of US 83
RouteState Highway 29
StateTexas
Coordinates30.87048, -99.65092
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating67 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans10
Design loadH 15
Structure length285 ft (86.9 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic705 (2022)
Projected traffic910 by 2033
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SH 29 over Elm Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1957.

What condition is SH 29 over Elm 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 2024.

How much traffic does SH 29 over Elm Creek carry?

About 705 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is SH 29 over Elm Creek?

The structure is 285 ft (86.9 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns SH 29 over Elm Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.