US 79 over Ham Branch

Fair

Milam County, Texas · 0.10 MI E of FM 487 S · Structure no. 171660020406058

Built: 1927; 98 years old, rebuilt 1955
Condition: Fair; inspected September 2024
Type: Slab; Concrete
Length: 56 ft; 4 main spans
Daily traffic: 15,363; 2023 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 79 over Ham Branch is a concrete slab carrying US 79 over Ham Branch in Milam County, Texas. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1955, so it is 98 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 15,363 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 21,508 by 2042. The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 79

CrossesHam Branch

Location0.10 MI E of FM 487 S

RouteU.S. Route 79

CountyMilam County

StateTexas

Coordinates30.65401, -97.00491

Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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

Last inspectionSeptember 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating58 US tons

Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans4

Design loadH 15

Structure length56 ft (17.1 m)

Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)

Deck width50 ft (15.2 m)

Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,363 (2023)

Projected traffic21,508 by 2042

Trucks13%

Lanes on structure3

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

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 79 over Ham Branch built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1955.

What condition is US 79 over Ham Branch 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does US 79 over Ham Branch carry?

About 15,363 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is US 79 over Ham Branch?

The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns US 79 over Ham Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.