US 281 NB over Rio Grande River
Hidalgo County, Texas · rated Fair in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- US 281 NB over Rio Grande River in Hidalgo County, Texas, is rated in fair condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the substructure, rated 6 (satisfactory condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 17,283 vehicles a day (traffic count year 2018).
- Its listed owner is a city or municipal highway agency.
- It is one of 206 of the 421 inventoried bridges in Hidalgo County rated fair (48.9%); 4 (1.0%) are rated poor.
- Its traffic status in the 2025 inventory is open, no restriction (NBI item 41).
- Its condition class and component ratings are unchanged from the 2024 inventory.
- Its most recent inspection on record is dated November 2023, on a 24-month routine inspection cycle.
- A fair rating means the lowest-rated major component scores 5 or 6 on FHWA's 0-9 scale: some deterioration or minor section loss, but the structure is sound. It is the middle class, not a warning.
View this bridge on a map → (26.09502, -98.27113)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
| Superstructure | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
| Substructure | 6 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Prestressed concrete |
| Length | about 852 ft |
| Location | Hidalgo Intl (new Bridge) |
| NBI structure number | 211090G00090002 |
| Condition class | Fair |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | November 2023 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 8: foundations stable, scour above the top of the footing |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the Texas department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Hidalgo County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 83 WB over Sp 115 (23RD St) | 1967 | 57,971 | Fair |
| US 83 EB over Sp 115 (23RD St) | 1967 | 57,971 | Fair |
| US 83 WB over Bu 83 FM 2061 & UP RR | 1966 | 54,860 | Good |
| US 83 WB over US 281 (N Cage Blvd) | 1966 | 51,190 | Fair |
| US 281 over S Main Drainage Ditch | 2005 | 48,970 | Good |
| US 83 WB over FM 1425 (mile 2 East Rd) | 2007 | 48,000 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: Hidalgo County, TX bridge conditions · every bridge in Hidalgo County · Texas bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.