SB LN INTER BR

over RIO GRANDE RIVER

225 FROM ELIZABETH ST., Cameron County, Texas

Condition

Good

Year Built

1969

Daily Traffic

6,900

Length

69 ft

About This Bridge

SB LN INTER BR carries traffic over RIO GRANDE RIVER in Cameron County, Texas. Built in 1969, this structure is 57 years old, placing it among the older bridges still in active service. The bridge features prestressed concrete continuous construction with a other design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Approximately 6,900 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 69 feet, this is a shorter span typical of local road crossings, often carrying traffic over small streams, drainage channels, or other roadways.

The construction materials used in this bridge were selected based on engineering requirements, cost considerations, and local conditions at the time of construction.

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

8

Substructure

Very Good

8

Channel & Protection

Very Good

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 1969, maintaining good condition demonstrates effective maintenance practices.

Bridge Details

Prestressed Concrete Continuous is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The other design was selected based on span requirements, load capacity needs, and site conditions at the time of construction. Maintenance responsibility falls to County Highway Agency.

Construction

Year Built1969
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
Design TypeOther
OwnerCounty Highway Agency

Dimensions

Total Length69 ft (20.9 m)
Max Span11 ft (3.3 m)
Deck Width4 ft
Deck Area2,303 sq ft

Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 2,303 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.

Classification

Route TypeOther
Route Number4
Lanes On Bridge2
Lanes Under Bridge

Status

Toll BridgeYes
Historical SignificancePossibly eligible
Scour Critical6
Detour Length5 mi (8 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.

6,900

Avg Daily Traffic (2010)

Vehicles per day crossing this bridge

Truck Traffic

Commercial vehicle percentage

21,250

Projected Future ADT

Estimated future demand

This bridge carries approximately 6,900 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 2,518,500 crossings annually. Lower traffic volumes generally result in less structural wear over time.

Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 21,250 vehicles daily, a 208% 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

4.4 tons

Maximum allowable load for special permits

Inventory Rating

3.3 tons

Load level for normal traffic

The operating rating of 4.4 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

Loading map...

27.454722, -98.884722

Identification

Structure Number210310C00804001
NBI IDTX-210310C00804001
State FIPS48
County FIPS061

Explore More

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.

SB LN INTER BR over RIO GRANDE RIVER | Texas