IH 35 NB ML
over GUADALUPE RIVER
0.2 MI N OF SEGUIN RD, Comal County, Texas
Condition
GoodYear Built
2003
Daily Traffic
56,266
Length
97 ft
About This Bridge
IH 35 NB ML carries traffic over GUADALUPE RIVER in Comal County, Texas. Built in 2003, this structure is 23 years old, representing modern engineering and construction standards. The bridge features prestressed concrete construction with a stringer/multi-beam or girder design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.
Approximately 56,266 vehicles cross this bridge daily, making it a high-traffic corridor critical to regional transportation. Bridges carrying this volume require enhanced inspection schedules and proactive maintenance programs. Commercial trucks account for 18% of all crossings. This heavy commercial usage significantly impacts structural wear, as a single fully-loaded truck can cause as much deck wear as thousands of passenger vehicles. Transportation planners factor this into maintenance scheduling and budget allocation.
The bridge is currently rated in good condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. The structure meets current safety standards for its designated use and load capacity. With a total length of 97 feet, this is a shorter span typical of local road crossings, often carrying traffic over small streams, drainage channels, or other roadways.
Concrete bridges offer excellent durability and relatively low maintenance requirements. They resist corrosion well but can develop cracking over time, particularly in regions with freeze-thaw cycles or heavy use of deicing chemicals. Regular inspection focuses on detecting cracks, spalling, and reinforcement corrosion.
Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.
Condition Ratings
Deck Condition
Good
Superstructure
Very Good
Substructure
Good
Channel & Protection
Good
Lowest Rating
Determines condition category
NBI condition ratings range from 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). Ratings of 4 or below are considered poor. The overall condition category is determined by the lowest individual component rating.
With a lowest rating of 7, this bridge demonstrates good condition meeting all safety standards.
For a structure built in 2003, maintaining good condition demonstrates effective maintenance practices.
Bridge Details
Prestressed Concrete is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The stringer/multi-beam or girder design was selected based on span requirements, load capacity needs, and site conditions at the time of construction. Maintenance responsibility falls to State Highway Agency.
Construction
Dimensions
Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 6,305 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.
Classification
Status
Traffic Data
Traffic volume data helps engineers assess bridge wear patterns and plan maintenance schedules. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts are updated periodically and represent typical weekday usage.
56,266
Avg Daily Traffic (2019)
Vehicles per day crossing this bridge
18%
Truck Traffic
Commercial vehicle percentage
55,750
Projected Future ADT
Estimated future demand
This bridge carries approximately 56,266 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 20,537,090 crossings annually. This high volume places significant demands on the structure and necessitates frequent inspections.
Commercial trucks comprise 18% of traffic. Heavy vehicles cause disproportionate wear—a single fully loaded truck can have the impact of thousands of passenger cars on bridge deck surfaces. This high percentage of truck traffic may accelerate deterioration of deck surfaces and structural components.
Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 55,750 vehicles daily, a decrease from current levels. These projections inform capacity planning and potential upgrade requirements.
Load Ratings
Load ratings determine what weight this bridge can safely support. These values are critical for routing heavy vehicles and issuing overweight permits.
Operating Rating
5.4 tons
Maximum allowable load for special permits
Inventory Rating
3.3 tons
Load level for normal traffic
The operating rating of 5.4 tons represents the absolute maximum load this bridge can carry under controlled conditions with special permits. The inventory rating of 3.3 tons is the safe load limit for everyday traffic without restrictions. These relatively low ratings may result in posted weight limits or route restrictions for heavy vehicles.
5-Year Condition Trend
→StableCondition has remained relatively stable since 2020
Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory
Location
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30.690000, -98.662500
Identification
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Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024
Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.
This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.