US Bridges

Bell Road over Chocolate Swale

Fair

Refugio County, Texas · 0.3 MI E of FM 629 · Structure no. 161960AA0185003

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
100 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
125
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bell Road over Chocolate Swale is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Bell Road over Chocolate Swale in Refugio County, Texas. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 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 125 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 150 by 2035. The structure is 100 ft (30.5 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBell Road
CrossesChocolate Swale
Location0.3 MI E of FM 629
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRefugio County
StateTexas
Coordinates28.18136, -97.29204
Functional classRural Local

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 inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length100 ft (30.5 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic125 (2015)
Projected traffic150 by 2035
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$5,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bell Road over Chocolate Swale built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bell Road over Chocolate Swale 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 2023.

How much traffic does Bell Road over Chocolate Swale carry?

About 125 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Bell Road over Chocolate Swale?

The structure is 100 ft (30.5 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Bell Road over Chocolate Swale?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.