Bu 77 over Drain

Fair

Nueces County, Texas · 3.3 MI S of FM 624 · Structure no. 161780037301001

Built: 1933; 92 years old, rebuilt 1973
Condition: Fair; inspected May 2024
Type: Culvert; Concrete
Length: 36 ft; 8 main spans
Daily traffic: 7,571; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bu 77 over Drain is a concrete culvert carrying Bu 77 over Drain in Nueces County, Texas. It was built in 1933 and reconstructed in 1973, so it is 92 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 7,571 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,599 by 2042. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 66 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesBu 77

CrossesDrain

Location3.3 MI S of FM 624

RouteState Highway 77

CountyNueces County

StateTexas

Coordinates27.81066, -97.64386

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
Channel and channel protection	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.

Last inspectionMay 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

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 spans8

Design loadH 15

Structure length36 ft (11 m)

Longest span4 ft (1.2 m)

Deck width66 ft (20.1 m)

Roadway width65 ft (19.7 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,571 (2022)

Projected traffic10,599 by 2042

Trucks7%

Lanes on structure5

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate 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 Bu 77 over Drain built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1973.

What condition is Bu 77 over Drain 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Bu 77 over Drain carry?

About 7,571 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Bu 77 over Drain?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 4 ft (1.2 m) and a deck 66 ft wide.

Who owns Bu 77 over Drain?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.