US Bridges

Port Ave over Drainage Ditch

Fair

Nueces County, Texas · 0.55 MI W of US 181 · Structure no. 161780B01583001

Built
1941
84 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
40 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,302
2015 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Port Ave over Drainage Ditch is a concrete culvert carrying Port Ave over Drainage Ditch in Nueces County, Texas. It was built in 1941 and reconstructed in 2011, so it is 84 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 1,302 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,500 by 2035. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 80 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesPort Ave
CrossesDrainage Ditch
Location0.55 MI W of US 181
RouteCity Street 0
CountyNueces County
StateTexas
Coordinates27.80818, -97.40579
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.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
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 rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span8 ft (2.4 m)
Deck width80 ft (24.5 m)
Roadway width59 ft (18 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,302 (2015)
Projected traffic1,500 by 2035
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$205,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Port Ave over Drainage Ditch built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is Port Ave over Drainage Ditch 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Port Ave over Drainage Ditch carry?

About 1,302 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Port Ave over Drainage Ditch?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 8 ft (2.4 m) and a deck 80 ft wide.

Who owns Port Ave over Drainage Ditch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.