SH 105

over NAVASOTA RIVER

4.75 MI SW OF SH 6, Grimes County, Texas

Condition

Good

Year Built

2021

Daily Traffic

7,050

Length

65 ft

About This Bridge

SH 105 carries traffic over NAVASOTA RIVER in Grimes County, Texas. Built in 2021, this structure is 5 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 7,050 vehicles cross this bridge daily, indicating lower traffic volumes common for local roads and rural routes. While traffic is lighter, these bridges still serve essential community transportation needs.

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 65 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

7

Deck Condition

Good

7

Superstructure

Good

7

Substructure

Good

6

Channel & Protection

Satisfactory

7

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 2021, maintaining good condition demonstrates effective maintenance practices. If this bridge were closed, traffic would face a detour of approximately 16 miles, underscoring the importance of maintaining this crossing.

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

Year Built2021
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
Design TypeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
OwnerState Highway Agency

Dimensions

Total Length65 ft (19.8 m)
Max Span13 ft (4.0 m)
Deck Width5 ft
Deck Area2,773 sq ft

Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 2,773 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.

Classification

Route TypeState Highway
Route Number105
Lanes On Bridge2
Lanes Under Bridge

Status

Toll BridgeNo
Historical SignificanceNot eligible
Scour Critical8
Detour Length16 mi (26 km)

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.

7,050

Avg Daily Traffic (2020)

Vehicles per day crossing this bridge

Truck Traffic

Commercial vehicle percentage

9,550

Projected Future ADT

Estimated future demand

This bridge carries approximately 7,050 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 2,573,250 crossings annually. Lower traffic volumes generally result in less structural wear over time.

Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 9,550 vehicles daily, a 35% increase 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

Stable

Condition has remained relatively stable since 2020

Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory

Location

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31.810833, -96.944167

Identification

Structure Number170940031504081
NBI IDTX-170940031504081
State FIPS48
County FIPS185

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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.

SH 105 over NAVASOTA RIVER | Texas