FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

SH 70

Carrying SH 70 over Cottonwood Creek

4.7 MI N of SH 153, Nolan, Texas

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
35 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: SH 70

The SH 70 bridge in Nolan, Texas carries SH 70 over Cottonwood Creek. It was built in 1926, making it 100 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1955, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of concrete and spans 3 sections, stretching 26.2 meters (86 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 4,614 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Texas bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 2/9. The weakest component sits in critical condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 35.4 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How SH 70 compares

▲ 7.1
Load rating vs Texas average (28.3 t)
Top 9%
Higher load rating than 91% of Texas bridges
166
Bridges in Nolan · 3 in Poor condition
SH 70 35.4 t
Texas average 28.3 t

Live comparison across Texas.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
24.0 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
0.0
Serviceability /30
24.0
Essentiality /15
0.0
Special reductions
0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
2/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
35.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1926
Last Reconstructed
1955
Material
Concrete
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
26.2 m (86 ft)
Deck Width
13.1 m (43 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
4,614 vehicles/day
Structure Number
081770026401004

Condition Analysis

  • At 5/9, the deck (driving surface) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in critical condition (2/9), with severe deterioration requiring urgent attention.

How to read this record

SH 70 is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare SH 70 against other structures in Nolan and across Texas. Texas bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for SH 70?

SH 70 in Nolan, Texas has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 2/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is SH 70 inspected?

SH 70's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 4,614 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. SH 70 is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for SH 70?

SH 70 has an NBI inventory load rating of 35.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining SH 70?

SH 70 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is SH 70 and does age affect safety?

SH 70 was built in 1926, making it 100 years old and last reconstructed in 1955.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.