FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

SH 173

Carrying SH 173 over BANDERA CREEK

1.5 MI N OF FM 3240, Bandera, Texas

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
34 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: SH 173

The SH 173 bridge in Bandera, Texas carries SH 173 over BANDERA CREEK. It was built in 1963, making it 63 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1990, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of concrete and spans 5 sections, stretching 61.0 meters (200 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 7,250 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 7/9, superstructure at 7/9, substructure at 6/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. None of this bridge's reported major components fall into the Poor condition range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 33.6 metric tons.

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

How SH 173 compares

▲ 5.3
Load rating vs Texas average (28.3 t)
Top 10%
Higher load rating than 90% of Texas bridges
67
Bridges in Bandera · 1 in Poor condition
SH 173 33.6 t
Texas average 28.3 t

Live comparison across Texas.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
94.9 / 100 - historical 80–100 band
Structural adequacy /55
55.0
Serviceability /30
29.0
Essentiality /15
12.9
Special reductions
−2.0

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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
7/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
33.6 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1963
Last Reconstructed
1990
Material
Concrete
Number of Spans
5
Structure Length
61.0 m (200 ft)
Deck Width
12.8 m (42 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
7,250 vehicles/day
Structure Number
150100042106034

Condition Analysis

  • At 7/9, the deck (driving surface) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) rates good at 7/9, with no significant deterioration on file.
  • At 6/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether SH 173 is safe to cross today. Here is how to use it.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Learn how the 0–9 condition scale and Good/Fair/Poor categories are defined. How condition ratings work
  • Compare SH 173 against other structures in Bandera 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 173?

SH 173 in Bandera, Texas has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is SH 173 inspected?

SH 173'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 7,250 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. SH 173 is currently shown as Fair condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for SH 173?

SH 173 has an NBI inventory load rating of 33.6 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining SH 173?

SH 173 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is SH 173 and does age affect safety?

SH 173 was built in 1963, making it 63 years old and last reconstructed in 1990.

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.