US 285 over Big Canyon

Fair

Pecos County, Texas · 9.0 MI N of RM 2400 · Structure no. 061860029303024

Built: 1965; 60 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected September 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete
Length: 263 ft; 10 main spans
Daily traffic: 980; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 285 over Big Canyon is a concrete slab carrying US 285 over Big Canyon in Pecos County, Texas. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 980 vehicles a day, roughly 19% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,530 by 2033. The structure is 263 ft (80.2 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 285

CrossesBig Canyon

Location9.0 MI N of RM 2400

RouteU.S. Route 285

CountyPecos County

StateTexas

Coordinates30.45426, -102.47614

Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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

Last inspectionSeptember 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating65 US tons

Inventory rating39 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans10

Design loadH 20

Structure length263 ft (80.2 m)

Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)

Deck width38 ft (11.7 m)

Roadway width36 ft (10.9 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic980 (2022)

Projected traffic1,530 by 2033

Trucks19%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed49.7 mi (80 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 285 over Big Canyon built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 285 over Big Canyon 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 2023.

How much traffic does US 285 over Big Canyon carry?

About 980 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 19% are trucks.

How long is US 285 over Big Canyon?

The structure is 263 ft (80.2 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns US 285 over Big Canyon?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.