US Bridges

Bell Road over Big Indian Creek

Poor

Amador County, California · 0.15 MI E/O SH 49 · Structure no. 26C0026

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
36 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
26
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bell Road over Big Indian Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Bell Road over Big Indian Creek in Amador County, California. It was built in 1925, so it is 100 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 26 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 104 by 2042. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBell Road
CrossesBig Indian Creek
Location0.15 MI E/O SH 49
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAmador County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates38.54079, -120.84623
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating29.7 US tons
Inventory rating17.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.2 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic26 (2011)
Projected traffic104 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$208,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bell Road over Big Indian Creek built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bell Road over Big Indian Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does Bell Road over Big Indian Creek carry?

About 26 vehicles per day (2011 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Bell Road over Big Indian Creek?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Bell Road over Big Indian Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.