FM 796 over Chiltipin Creek

Fair

San Patricio County, Texas · 0.8 MI N of FM 630 · Structure no. 162050202601002

Built: 1959; 66 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected March 2024
Type: Slab; Concrete
Length: 50 ft; 2 main spans
Daily traffic: 218; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM 796 over Chiltipin Creek is a concrete slab carrying FM 796 over Chiltipin Creek in San Patricio County, Texas. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 218 vehicles a day, roughly 49% of them trucks, projected to reach 305 by 2042. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesFM 796

CrossesChiltipin Creek

Location0.8 MI N of FM 630

RouteState Highway 796

CountySan Patricio County

StateTexas

Coordinates28.04095, -97.67238

Functional classRural Minor Collector

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	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 inspectionMarch 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is

Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating48.9 US tons

Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans2

Design loadOther

Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)

Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)

Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)

Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic218 (2022)

Projected traffic305 by 2042

Trucks49%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemNo

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 FM 796 over Chiltipin Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM 796 over Chiltipin Creek 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does FM 796 over Chiltipin Creek carry?

About 218 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 49% are trucks.

How long is FM 796 over Chiltipin Creek?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns FM 796 over Chiltipin Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.