US Bridges

New Sweden Church over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Travis County, Texas · 0.40 MI SE of FM 973 · Structure no. 142270AA1539003

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
43 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,311
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

New Sweden Church over Cottonwood Creek is a concrete culvert carrying New Sweden Church over Cottonwood Creek in Travis County, Texas. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 65 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 1,311 vehicles a day, projected to reach 400 by 2027. The structure is 43 ft (13 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesNew Sweden Church
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location0.40 MI SE of FM 973
RouteCounty Highway 144
CountyTravis County
StateTexas
Coordinates30.40568, -97.50638
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length43 ft (13 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,311 (2020)
Projected traffic400 by 2027
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$169,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was New Sweden Church over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is New Sweden Church over Cottonwood 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 New Sweden Church over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 1,311 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is New Sweden Church over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 43 ft (13 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns New Sweden Church over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.