US Bridges

Five Mile Drive over Mule Creek

Poor

Amador County, California · 1 MI S/O SH 104 · Structure no. 26C0032

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
260
2013 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Five Mile Drive over Mule Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Five Mile Drive over Mule 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 260 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 520 by 2042. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFive Mile Drive
CrossesMule Creek
Location1 MI S/O SH 104
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAmador County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates38.3586, -120.96873
Functional classRural Major Collector

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
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating31.4 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic260 (2013)
Projected traffic520 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$78,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Five Mile Drive over Mule Creek built?

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

What condition is Five Mile Drive over Mule 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 Five Mile Drive over Mule Creek carry?

About 260 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Five Mile Drive over Mule Creek?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Five Mile Drive over Mule Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.